To mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), students from Ilfracombe Junior School visited Edenmore Nursing Home to share their World War II projects with family members (residents) living at the home.
The children
spent time with different family members, showing them the workbooks they had
created as part of their World War II projects, and offering them to family
members who wanted to have a closer look through them themselves. The work
included historical photographs from the wartime period alongside written
sections exploring different aspects of the war.
There were some
very special moments throughout the visit. Ann, a family member, was left
laughing and smiling when one student shared that the best part about dressing
up as an evacuee was not having to wear a school uniform!
Another child
proudly told his teacher, ‘I think I’ve made that lady’s day,’ after spending
time with Susan, another family member at the home. As the children were
leaving, he made sure to say goodbye to Susan and give her a cuddle, something
his teacher described as an especially touching moment, as showing affection
and interacting so openly with others does not always come easily for him.
The home also
hosted a special VE Day themed party later in the afternoon, with Union Jack
decorations, themed cakes, hats and tableware, while members of the team
dressed in utility-style clothing and kerchiefs for the occasion. A
reminiscence area was created using wartime books, a rotary phone and a
typewriter, giving family members the opportunity to look at, touch and
interact with recognisable objects from the past which may evoke a sense of
connection or recognition.
Isaac, who is ten
years old and the grandson of Home Manager Gayle, also spent time at the home
speaking with family members about their experiences of the war. Peter, a
family member at the home, enjoyed talking to Isaac about rationing during the
war, including sugar, meat, butter and clothing, helping him understand what
life was like then.
Isaac has been
visiting the home since he was just a few months old and continues to enjoy
spending time with family members there!
Intergenerational
visits like these can be meaningful for both older and younger generations. For
older generations, spending time with children can encourage moments of
conversation and connection. Talking about things like wartime memories, may
help support reminiscence and reinforce a sense of identity and personal
history.
For children,
visits to care homes can help build understanding of ageing and living with
Dementia in a more personal and compassionate way. And rather than learning
about history only through books, they are able to hear from people who lived
through significant moments in time, helping bring those experiences to life
while also encouraging empathy and confidence connecting with older
generations.
Bringing children
into the home can also help family members feel part of the wider community and
younger generations, while creating opportunities for shared experiences,
conversation and connection.
Home Manager
Gayle shared about the day, ‘It was just amazing. Seeing everyone’s happy
faces. Everybody just loved it.’
