Back To School For Sunrise Of Bagshot

September sees the start of the new school year for thousands of students up and down the country as they head back to reality after the summer holidays. Sunrise of Bagshot have taken the opportunity to mark the new term and reminisce, with a dedicated ‘Back to School Week’.

The week kicked off with a day that saw an enjoyable school-themed quiz for the residents. A volunteer who regularly delivers talks to residents gave an excellent ‘walk through’ his school years, which evoked old and happy memories for residents about their own time at school.

Throughout the day, the Activities Team were kitted out in school uniform to add to the theme. In a special edition of Art Club, budding artists were joined by a resident who was once an art teacher to show everyone how to paint watercolour washes. Sunrise of Bagshot also tapped into its intergenerational work with the local community, by inviting a young volunteer to discuss what his lessons in a contemporary classroom are like.

Later on, the talented dining team were on hand to cook up a special school dinner. The Residents Council had met previously to choose the meals that residents would be enjoying. On the menu for the day liver and bacon, followed by a jam sponge with custard, which was hugely enjoyed by the residents.

In the afternoon, residents were quizzed on their times tables, with a resident who was once a teacher asking the questions. Residents used miniature blackboards with chalk to write their answers, with a throwback to their school days. Adding to the theme, there was a Back to School display complete with traditional desks, stationery and other school materials which allowed residents to reflect on their years in education and the school activities they once took part in.

Alongside being a great deal of fun, the week was an importance part of Sunrise of Bagshot’s commitment to ensuring that residents are living engaged and fulfilling lives, supported by reminiscence.

Jane Harris, Activities and Volunteers Co-ordinator at Sunrise of Bagshot, said:

“Encouraging reminiscence is really central to the activities and opportunities we want our residents to enjoy. Our residents have all lived active lives with lots of different experiences and perspectives – we wanted to give them the opportunity to reflect on this by ringing in the new school year and exchanging special school memories with each other and the community.

“Our team provided lots of activities, as well as delicious food, during our Back to School week and we really hope the residents enjoyed taking part in a bit of a challenge whilst having lots of fun.”