Cringleford care home brings the festive feeling

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Dec 21, 2016

A care home in Cringleford welcomed the local community to its first ever Christmas lights switch on. 

The team at Cavell Court opened the doors to local people for a festive celebration when the team hosted its first Christmas lights switch on with the help of a host of special visitors.  

The event saw the team and residents joined by two donkeys, Fred and Barney, from Scratby Donkeys and two owls, Fluke the barn owl and Shadow the tawny owl, from Fritton Owl Sanctuary for the celebration. 

Gladys Marshall, resident at Cavell Court since it opened in 2015, was given the special honour of switching the festive lights on. 

Everyone joined in carol singing led by students from the local Norwich High School for Girls, who paid a special visit to the care home for the performance. Visitors also enjoyed a selection of festive treats, all prepared by the home’s head chef. 

Kelly Mendham, Cavell Court home manager, said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome the local community to celebrate Christmas here at Cavell Court and help spread the festive feeling with our first lights switch on. 

“The visit from our furry and feathered friends proved to be a real success and you could see from residents’ reactions just how engaged and fascinated they were by the chance to get up close with the donkeys and owls. It was fantastic to see the smiles on everyone’s faces, and we believe it had real therapeutic benefits for residents – especially those living with dementia.

“Everyone had a fantastic evening and it was great to see so many of the residents and guests singing along to the carols, we would especially like to thank the students from Norwich High School for Girls for their wonderful performance.”