Hemel Hempstead pupils brighten up care home residents' day with colourful banners

A socially distanced 'Hello!' brought a smile to everyone's faces
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Children from a school in Hemel Hempstead got creative last week in a bid to put a smile on the faces of local care home residents.

Pupils from Abbot’s Hill School headed down the hill on to say a socially distanced ‘Hello!’ to residents at Water Mill House Care Home in Apsley.

Children who were onsite under the key worker care provision and nursery spent time designing colourful banners and drawings for a very special cause.

A socially distanced 'Hello!' brought a smile to everyone's facesA socially distanced 'Hello!' brought a smile to everyone's faces
A socially distanced 'Hello!' brought a smile to everyone's faces

Pupils and staff members walked down the school drive on Friday to stand safely on the other side of the road of the care home.

They waved and showed the residents their drawings, banners and pictures.

The care home residents and their carers waved through the windows back at the children, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. Even cars, cyclists and pedestrians beeped horns and waved hello.

Kathryn Gorman, headteacher at Abbot’s Hill School, said: “At a time such as this, it's the simplest gestures that have the most meaning.

Pupils brightened up care home residents day with colourful bannersPupils brightened up care home residents day with colourful banners
Pupils brightened up care home residents day with colourful banners

"A wave and a smile from one generation to another shows the importance of connection.

"We are so proud of our keyworker and nursery children who lifted the spirits of the residents of Watermill House Care Home.”

Bringing a little bit of happiness to the elderly residents who may not have been able to have seen their own grandchildren and families was a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed meeting some new friends.

Victoria Forsythe, Home Manager, said: "We were totally blown away by the children's love and kindness shown to us last week.

They waved and showed the residents their drawings, banners and picturesThey waved and showed the residents their drawings, banners and pictures
They waved and showed the residents their drawings, banners and pictures

"Most of the staff were brought to tears as it was so emotional to see little ones all wrapped up in the winter sunshine waving to our cherished residents who were keen to wave back.

"It brought smiles all round and a real sense of community."

Abbot’s Hill have received a heartfelt thank you from one of the carers at Water Mill House Care Home on behalf of the residents.

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