Time well spent: Looking back at this year’s fantastic activities with Embley
We’ve been so lucky this year, as our Woodley Grange residents have enjoyed regular sessions with the children from independent Romsey school, Embley.
It’s been great to bring the generations together, so they can share skills and learn from each other. The visits never fail to put a smile on our residents’ faces!
This year, we have run superb sessions with the school’s history, art, music and drama scholars, including:
Rewarding History Sessions
Earlier this year, Embley’s history students visited Woodley Grange, for our first of many sessions. The students thoroughly enjoyed learning about the lives of our residents and discussed the generational differences in their childhoods.
This was great reminiscence therapy for our residents as they were able to share their knowledge and experiences.
Therapeutic Art Sessions
Our residents really enjoyed the two 40-minute workshops, run by Embley’s art scholars. Both sessions focused on flowers and they brought all the art materials needed for the activities. In the first session we painted flowers using watercolours and in the second session we created beautiful origami flowers. We were all amazed with the finished results!
These engaging art activities were ideal for stimulating the brain, strengthening fine motor skills, as well as being great for well-being.
Joyous Singing Sessions
We loved being entertained with recitals and performances from Embley’s talented music and drama scholars.
We also had great fun playing musical bingo and our residents found it funny seeing the children’s faces when they didn’t know some of the songs. To finish the session, we all got up on our feet and sang ‘Sweet Caroline’, which got us all in a fantastic mood!
Fun Exercise Class
In November, the children led a well thought out exercise routine that got us all moving and warmed up, with our arms waving and feet tapping.
It was a really great way to encourage getting active!
Engaging Jewellery Making Session
Our residents were really proud to show off their lovely multi-coloured bead bracelets that they had made with the children. It was a great fun activity for supporting fine motor skills.
Creative Cake Decorating Session
In the run up to Christmas, we had a lovely day of baking treats. We started by making jam tarts and mince pies, with beautifully cut out heart shapes on top, which was followed by an afternoon of Embley coming in and decorating cupcakes with us.
We used yummy chocolate icing and topped the cupcakes with sprinkles and marshmallows, some were even cleverly turned into faces! Again, this activity was great for strengthening fine motor skills – and of course the end results were delicious!
Trip to watch the Nativity
The year ended on a festive high, as our ladies were delighted to go on a trip to Embley, to watch the children’s nativity performance. They had an amazing time and have been raving about the performance, watching lots of budding stars in the making!
Special inter-generational experience
Embley’s Headmaster, Cliff Canning, said how much their students enjoyed the experience: “Embley is proud to be part of a strong and sharing local community and we regard links with and service in the community as a natural dimension of learning. Each week, we are taking our classroom out into the community where pupils can share their skills and learn from others, as well as undertake new responsibilities.”
Woodley Grange’s Registered Manager, Liliana Macieira, added; “We would like to thank the students and staff at Embley for making the inter-generational sessions so special. We can’t wait to do more fun activities together in 2023!”
Follow our Facebook Page to see our latest activities with Embley. To arrange a visit to our outstanding care home, contact our dedicated staff on 01794 337326.