With a national lockdown still in place and grandparents who live in care homes not being able to read bedtime stories to their grandchildren, Henley House care home in Ipswich came up with an innovative idea to connect residents with their families.
On World Book Day 2021, which took place on Thursday 4th March, one of the care home residents read out ‘The Gruffalo’ book by Julia Donaldson and the video was shared via care home’s Facebook page so that grandchildren of all residents and staff could enjoy it.
This lovely touch between care home residents and their families went a treat with everyone, even with the author herself. Catriona Scott, Assistant to Julia Donaldson, suggested adding the video recording of the resident reading the book on the official ‘The Gruffalo’ Facebook page.
Jill, a Henley House resident who read The Gruffalo, said: “I really enjoyed reading The Gruffalo and I am glad that it brought much joy to grandchildren of residents and staff. I cannot wait to do some more.”
Emma Mackenzie-Bedford, Home Manager at Henley House, who came up with the idea said: “After being in lockdown for such a long time and not being able to see grandchildren and great grandchildren, we wanted to connect residents with their families. Reading a bedtime story, which both grandparents and their grandchildren so enjoy, was a way to rekindle some of those special childhood moments and memories.”
To watch the recording of Jill reading The Gruffalo please click on the link below:
Henley House is a brand new luxury care home in Ipswich which provides high quality residential and dementia care. The home is operated by an award-winning care charity Greensleeves Care.
