Popular Care

Residents at Astune Rise care home in Eston have received the gift of Christmas cheer as a sing-a-long kicked off a new project which sees children visit the home.

Gathered residents were treated to renditions of Christmas classics including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells and When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney in front of the home’s Christmas tree.

The festive event was the first visit of a new ‘Mini Dementia Friends’ project, set up by the children of the staff at Astune Rise, a care home operated by Popular Care, on Eston High Street. The children have all registered to become dementia friends on the Dementia UK website and photos are up on a staff board for residents to recognise their faces.

The children aged between three and 12 will visit Astune Rise on a regular basis bringing some youthful energy and joy to residents while taking part in activities like story reading, baking and art sessions. The project aims to build strong bonds between the care home residents and staffs’ children, and build the youngsters’ confidence and understanding of older people living with this condition

This latest project is an extension of the home’s activities programme, which aims to keep residents’ minds and bodies active. Other activities include visits from entertainers, exercise classes, and trips out to museums, restaurants, football matches and other attractions.

Caroline Bowstead, manager at Astune Rise care home, said: “I was so happy to see how much both the residents and the children enjoyed the event. It was a great way to kick off our Mini Dementia Friends group and put everyone into the festive spirit.

“Even residents who prefer to not take part in a lot of the activities we have came down and were singing along, and asking the children what Santa was bringing them.

“All of the children who are taking part in Mini Dementia Friends have a mum, dad, grandma or grandad who works at Astune Rise. They all wanted to learn more about what happened at their work and meet some of the residents. I’m really looking forward to seeing this project grow!”

Astune Rise resident Frank Yorksaid: “I really enjoyed having the kids at the home and hearing them sing. It’s a magical time of year for them because they are all at the age where they believe in Father Christmas and it’s just so nice to see.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF POPULAR CARE

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Popular Care is a care home provider established in 2006 with homes across the North East of England and Scotland. It operates four homes, caring for those in need of residential, nursing, respite and palliative care with additional experience in learning difficulties, and specialist illnesses such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

(https://www.popularcare.co.uk/)