Christmas Cards Bring Joy To All Ages In Nottingham

After a difficult year, the teams at New Care’s Ruddington Manor Care Centre and The Grand Care Centre, located in Wilford and West Bridgford respectively, decided to bring joy to its residents in the form of Christmas cards, written by pupils from local primary schools.

Children from Parkdale Primary School, in Carlton, sent 66 Christmas cards to the residents at Ruddington Manor, each with a personalised message of hope written inside.

Mr Hillier, headteacher at Parkdale Primary School, comments: “The children have loved making their cards and really wanted to spread some festive joy in these challenging times.  We focus very strongly on making a positive contribution to our community and caring for others; this is a fun and appropriate way to do that.  Merry Christmas everyone!”

Ruddington Manor resident, Jayne Brenan, adds: “I used to be a teacher and have loved receiving these cards from the children.  I can’t wait to get through all 66 cards, reading each of the lovely messages.”

Amy Simpson, lead wellbeing coordinator at Ruddington Manor, adds: “Receiving the Christmas cards from the school children really brightened up the day for our residents.  They were overwhelmed at receiving 66 Christmas cards and will enjoy opening them all.  It’s just what they need right now.

“The residents also wanted to share some Christmas joy and decided to send Christmas cards with their own message written inside back to the children.  It was fantastic to see so many residents getting involved in this fun, festive activity.”

Continuing with the community spirit, the team at The Grand have also organised ‘The Grand’s Give-Back Advent’ which will incorporate daily donations to the local food banks, helping those in need during these particularly hard times.

24 items with be gifted via door drops to neighbours of the care home, with each gift wrapped and including a note from the residents, wishing them goodwill and explaining The Grand’s give-back advent plans.

Bridget Peck, Wellbeing Coordinator at The Grand, concludes: “The give-back advent activity is a really thoughtful way of helping those in need in the locality.  It is joint effort with staff, relatives of residents and individuals living locally generously donating items for the food banks.  We hope it will strengthen bonds with the local community this Christmas and going into the New Year.”