Care Home Residents Sing Praises Of School Choirs

The rooms and corridors of Dorset House, a Care South care home in Poole, were filled with song and laughter as residents were treated to performances from two school choirs.

In a series of visits across a week in July, the students of Cornerstone Academy and Hamworthy Park Junior School visited the home, singing to residents whilst intergenerational friendships blossomed.

Cornerstone Academy was the first school to entertain staff and residents. The choir sang a handful of songs, whilst some children sat with the residents and recited poems. One mini-rockstar brought his guitar and impressed everyone with his talent, with one resident calling him a ‘future star.’

Hamworthy Park Junior School visited the following day. The attending students form part of the extra-curricular school choir club and came well prepared. They gave their best effort, despite having another end-of-year performance later that day. After serenading everyone, students took the time to bond with residents and discuss all things summer holidays, from Disney cruises, trips to Australia and camping.

Speaking on the choir performances, resident, Thelma, said: “The children brought tears to my eyes,” and Paul, another resident, said: “You could see how much they have practiced. They must have an excellent teacher.”

Neil Dominy, Home Manager at Dorset House, said: “Our home is always enhanced by visits from schools and nurseries. It was a wonderful gesture from the students of Cornerstone Academy and Hamworthy Park Junior School to visit us and make special memories with everyone. The residents and staff loved it, and it’s so warming to overhear their conversations with the children.”