Care home teams up with baby group for cuddles, tea and cake
GLANFFRWD Nursing Home in Pencoed, Bridgend has opened its doors to babies and toddlers for weekly “cuddles” and tea and cake.
The care home has teamed up with the Happy Hands Club, which runs sessions for babies and children aged up to five, with a focus on music, movement and mindfulness.
Every Wednesday morning, the elderly residents share the multi-sen- sory music and movement sessions with the children and their parents. Everyone is then treated to tea and cake afterwards.
The sessions are led by Emma Harrison-Kemp, from Llantwit Major.
“The benefits for everyone could be seen straight away, which is something I honestly didn’t expect to see so quickly,” Mrs Harrison-Kemp said.
“Whilst running the session you could see the pure joy in everyone interacting and joining in. I was watching the residents copy along with the children, and we have integrated some golden oldies into our music as well.
“You could hear them humming or singing along to the old tunes as we ran the session. It was wonderful.”
And it’s not just the residents who enjoy themselves – the parents do too.
Mrs Harrison-Kemp said: “The feedback from the parents was incredible.
“Everyone absolutely loved it and they were all introducing themselves and the children to the residents before and after class which was wonderful.”
After the first class, one mother messaged the Happy Hands Club leader saying: “What a lovely time we had with the residents at the nursing home and the class couldn’t of run more smoothly. We will be making this our regular thing until I’m back to work and on my days off thereafter. Such a lovely thing to do and seeing the residents interact with the babies was so lovely.”
Rachel Morgan, the wellbeing coordinator at the nursing home, is responsible for bringing the groups together.
Dealing with each resident on a daily basis, she was able to see just how big a difference the class made to each individual. One resident who was always reluctant to join in was drawn in by the toddler group and by the end was thoroughly enjoying spending time with the children.
Mrs Harrison-Kamp said: “Hearing things like that made me cry happy tears all the way to the shops after. Happy Hands Club as a whole are really pro anything like this and we are excited for what the future holds as we would love to do more of this on a bigger scale with other homes.
“I feel extremely privileged to have been asked to run such a special session. It is also very close to my heart as my nanny passed away last year from Alzheimer’s and dementia so to be working with some residents with early onset is very special to me.
“My nan would have adored these sessions. My son and daughter always brightened her day.”