Christmas card-making unites nursery children with care home's elderly

The season of goodwill and a love of card-making has brought three-and four-year-old children from a West Sussex nursery to ninety-year-olds living in a care home nearby.

As well as helping each other create decorative festive cards for their families and friends, the young visitors from Elan Nursery managed to forge meaningful friendships with their hosts at Croft Meadow care home in Steyning.

Resident, Eileen Davis, said: “I love to hear the sound of the children chatting and laughing – it’s a sound I really miss.”

Another resident, Audrey Munday, added: “Having had the children visit made my morning and I cannot wait for another visit from my new friend, Florence.”

Residents were also treated to Christmas carols by the children before showing them the care home’s makeshift grotto.

The children and residents then took turns giving Christmas presents to each other.

Elan Nursery staff members, Nicky Sharratt and Becky Somers, said it was ‘an enjoyable morning for all involved’.

The nursery has said it is now planning more activities for 2018 to give the children and home’s residents a chance to build on their friendships.

Sharalee Thrumble, care home manager at the Shaw healthcare-run home, said: “It has been such a wonderful morning and we definitely plan to make this a regular treat.

“Not only is it beneficial to the residents, but to the children too, who helped the residents with their festive preparations.”