CHILDREN from St Martin’s Garden Primary School and Hopscotch Nursery have come together to play with residents at the UK’s first care home play garden.
The recently opened facility at Hallmark Midford Manor in Bath was inspired by residents’ memories of their own childhood experiences and designed by children in a school competition.
Wellbeing manager Kerry Huggins said: “It has been really lovely to see the bonds formed between our residents and the children.
“Not only do they come here and play, but we’ve had a teddy bears picnic in Victoria Park together and played games.
“They enjoy playing in the play garden at Midford Manor and bring such energy with them. They love to sit in the big chair and tell stories to residents and to each other which is great for developing their imagination.”
It was born out of a partnership between Hallmark Care Homes Foundation and the play charity, London Play with the hope the garden will be first of many in care homes bringing wide-ranging benefits to young and old alike.
The garden features a little ones play area, a storytelling chair and seating area that will be used for outdoor lessons and an adjoining gate so the neighbouring school has easy access to the space.
St Martin’s Garden and Hopscotch Nursery are making use of the area weekly, playing games and reading to residents, improving their literacy skills, with more intergenerational activities planned for the summer.