Member Article

Celebrations at Kendal Care Home with a visit from primary school pen pals

Primary pupils are writing their way into 2024 after popping into Kendal Care Home to share letters they’d written to residents.

Armed with home-made Christmas decorations nineteen pupils aged seven to 11 from St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in Windermere read letters they’d written about their summer holidays.

Fergal Ruane and Mike Spellman from the home’s activity team organised the visit and it went so well that they’re now organising a minibus to take the pen pals to see the children’s carol concert.

Fergal said: “Having the children visit and starting a pen pal friendship is amazing for the residents, especially those with dementia. Hearing what the children are up to sparks their curiosity and memories of their own childhood, and their children and grandchildren if they have them.

“By being partnered off with the children they chatted to most they’ve already started to make bonds. That personal connection will give them a wonderful new relationship and a sense of purpose in knowing their young friend is expecting a letter.”“

The children’s letters included stories about family visits to Poland and Ukraine, trips to the cinema and walks with the dog.

In her letter Olivia, said: “I went to Poland for three weeks with my grandma and aunty and uncle and cousins…….we went on a walk and also when we finished the walk, we went in the dark to the new Bambi movie. The popcorn was delicious then some days later we went to England to my house. We spent time outside and it was fun to see my dog and my friends….How about you? Can you write a letter back too.”

It’s hoped the pen pal bond will continue for many years, especially for the younger pupils in Years 3 and 4.

Alison Baker, 61, a resident at the 120-bed home said: “It was an excellent day and I’d love it to happen more often. It was great to have the chance to interact with a younger age group as we could discuss things from when we were young that they never knew.

“And they told us about the things we never did, like the changes in all the technology from when we were kids to now. It’s amazing how much has changed and it was wonderful to talk to them, everyone loved it.”

The children even managed to squeeze in birthday celebrations and a song for Eileen celebrating her 99th birthday that day.

Jennifer Pearson, Classroom Support Assistant at St Cuthbert’s said: “It was a really lovely visit, and the home and residents were so welcoming. It’s important for our pupils to be part of our community and meet different people including those who are often not seen and can be forgotten like those living in care homes.

“It was great to see our pupils’ exchanging tales and telling jokes with the residents as many of them have family who live outside the UK so don’t get to see their own grandparents and older relatives very often. I’m sure there will lot of great letters over the coming months.”

Headteacher, Lucy Bone added: “Our school mission is to ‘help one another, this is what we do with all our hearts’ so I’m delighted to see the kindness and compassion shown by our pupils during the visit.

“They’re loving writing letters to their new friends and one of our girls visited Blackpool and has bought her penpal a gift. We’re looking forward to their visit here and the next letter exchange.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Springup PR .