Local schoolchildren join Kingston Vale care home for a journey into Christmas past

Old festive traditions came to life at a care home in Kingston Vale, where residents welcomed local school children for a day of seasonal activities.

Care UK's Sherwood Grange, on Robin Hood Lane, joined forces with young visitors from Canbury School to revisit customs from Christmases past.

The event was part of Care UK's 'Step into Christmas' initiative, which aims to revive residents' festive traditions, encouraging them to share memories with the local community and the younger generation.

By blending storytelling, crafts and carol singing, the events create a space for meaningful intergenerational connection.

On the day, the home was filled with festive joy, as young visitors from Canbury School treated residents to a special carol concert, featuring songs from years gone by, as well as a few recent Christmas pop hits.

After delighting the residents with their heartfelt singing, the students then invited their hosts to join them in the home's front garden, where they surprised them with a special gift.

As a symbol of friendship and connection across the generations and for those still to come, the schoolchildren gifted Sherwood Grange with a young Christmas tree, which they planted with the help of residents.

Resident Ken, 83, said: "It was so lovely to see the children and hear them singing all my favourite carols. It always made my Christmas every year hearing my own children singing carols when they were young.

"Planting the tree was a wonderful gesture and something we can all appreciate for years to come." 

Children from Canbury School planting their Christmas tree at Sherwood Grange (Image supplied

Malgo Wcislo, Home Manager at Sherwood Grange, said: "Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents' childhoods of singing carols with their loved ones.

"The school's Christmas tree was such a generous gesture. This tree isn't just for Christmas — it will grow with us, year after year, becoming a living reminder of the bond between our residents and the young people in our community.

"The day was a wonderful opportunity to bring together different generations – past, present and future - for a day of festive cheer. It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share stories from Christmases gone by.

"We'd like to extend a huge thank you to Canbury School for joining us and making the day so joyous for all involved! Their presence brought an extra sparkle to the day."

For more information about Step into Christmas, click here.

Sherwood Grange has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment.

The home provides full-time residential, dementia, respite, and end-of-life care. The state-of-the-art care home features a cinema, hair and beauty salon and café, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies.

The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities. 

To find out more about Sherwood Grange, contact Customer Relations Manager Paul Boyce at [email protected], call 020 4502 8956 or visit Sherwood Grange's website.