The arrival of Christmas at the Chanters Care Home in Atherton, Manchester came with some wonderfully festive sounds thanks to local school children.
Proud to sit at the heart of the community, the care home on Tyldesley Old Road enjoys strong links to many local groups and organisations. In the weeks before Christmas, the residents and team at the home were thrilled to receive yuletide performances from three local schools.
The first visit brought the very seasonal sound of Christmas classics played by a brass band to the home’s car park. The Chanters family watched on from the home’s windows with delight as the Fred Longworth High School Brass Band played a heartwarming selection of festive tunes while dressed in Christmas hats. While a few residents braved the cold to listen outside, others stayed in and danced and clapped along with the care team.
On the following day, children from Sacred Heart RC Primary School assembled in the winter sun outside the home to sing Christmas carols for everyone. With a definite Christmas mood having taken over the home, residents and staff sang along with the children. The Sacred Heart pupils very kindly brought along Christmas cards for each of our residents, which made for a lovely afternoon of reading.
In another festive surprise, all at the home were treated to a virtual nativity play from some of the children at Chowbent Primary School. The virtual performance melted a few hearts and brought back fond childhood memories of Christmastime for our residents.
Intergenerational visits such as these form an important part of the activity programme at the Chanters. The two generations interacting with each other has proven health benefits for both sides and keeps our residents connected with the wider community.
