Memories poem is a winner
A CHEADLE high school student’s poem about an elderly woman’s memories has won a national poetry competition.
To celebrate World Poetry Day, Care UK organised a poetry competition encouraging care home residents and community members to put pen to paper to create their own short verses and poems.
For several weeks, residents at Abney Court care home in Abney Hall Park met with a group of Kingsway School students.
After gathering the residents’ most treasured memories, the students marked the World Poetry Day celebrations by turning these memories into poetry and reading them aloud to the residents.
Residents and pupils also worked together on a joint poem called What We Call Home.
Akira Edgson’s poem, written for resident Pat Nugent about her memories and what life is a like at Abney Court, won over the judges’ hearts and gained first place.
Abney Court manager Tracy Mitchell said: “We are beyond excited that Akira’s poem has won Care UK’s poetry competition.
“It’s a beautifully worded poem and Pat was thrilled to see her memories turned into poetry.
“Our World Poetry Day celebrations are a great example of how activitybased care at Abney Court supports residents to continue enjoying their passions and hobbies.
“Inter-generational relationships have been proven to be beneficial to older people and the residents truly enjoyed sharing their memories with the Kingsway School students.”