Local School Brightens Up The Day For Lydgate Lodge Residents
Residents at Lydgate Lodge residential and dementia care home in Batley were overjoyed to receive special notes and drawings from a local school on ‘National Cheer up the Lonely Day’. Pupils from Lydgate Junior and Infant School spent time writing messages and painting pictures which were then placed in a bottle for residents to choose at random.
Regional Activities Executive for Lydgate Lodge, Yvonne Mulholland, was inspired to create the ‘messages in a bottle’ after a resident mentioned how much she missed the little notes and pictures she used to receive from her grandchildren. Yvonne said “We already have great links with Lydgate Junior and Infant School and I knew the children would be excited to take part in ‘National Cheer up the Lonely Day’. It really was a joy to see the residents picking their notes from the bottle – it certainly did brighten up their day!”
Lydgate Lodge, which is operated by Ideal Carehomes, is an integral part of the local community and already has great links with Lydgate Junior and Infant School. Judith Hopwood, Head Teacher at the school, said “The children really enjoyed making cards and writing messages to the residents of Lydgate Lodge. Our links are very important to us and it is lovely to see young and old working together.”
‘National Cheer Up the Lonely Day’ was on 11 July and is an initiative to encourage people to reach out to others who may be going through a difficult time, or just to do something nice for someone who may be lonely. The day certainly cheered up the residents at Lydgate Lodge, with one lady remarking that “it is a nice thing for the children to get involved with and also a nice surprise for us too”.
After seeing the positive impact that the messages had on the residents at Lydgate Lodge, the home are planning lots more activities and events with the children of Lydgate Junior and Infant School, including weekly visits to entertain them with a spot of singing. Lydgate Lodge is 64 bed residential and dementia care home in Batley, and is committed to offering residents aspirational lifestyle choices and an active social environment.
