Ain’t no party like a PJ party – Church Crookham care home residents read bedtime stories to local children

Residents at a care home in Church Crookham have been reading well-known bedtime stories to local children as part of a nationwide initiative to celebrate National Storytelling Week. 

Church Crookham may seem a little quieter than usual after residents from Care UK’s Bourley Grange, on Bourley Road, welcomed team members’ grandchildren into the home for a pyjama party and reading session.

The home transformed their lounge area into a cosy reading nook complete with teddies, tipis and even a ‘reading thrown’. The children all arrived at the home ready for the stories in pyjamas and onesies. 

To celebrate National Storytelling Week, Care UK has created the Bedtime Stories initiative which sees residents across the UK read classic bedtime stories to young children. The campaign, which includes the launch of four free videos of residents reading famous stories, ensures children who may not have a grandparent do not miss out on a magical tale before bedtime.

Racquel Merdegia, General Manager at Bourley Grange, said: “We often invite team members children into home, so these reading sessions were a wonderful way to spend time with familiar faces.

“Reading stories aloud to a small audience of listeners required the residents to use skills they might not have utilised for some time. By using a variety of voices and different sounds they really brought the characters to life and were able to hold the attention of the room. Not only was the session very heart-warming, but it was fantastic for boosting the residents’ confidence. 

“It was wonderful to spend quality time with the younger generation of visitors who come to the home on a regular basis, and we know we will be seeing them again soon.”

To watch four Bedtime Stories read by Care UK residents, or for more information about the Bedtime Stories initiative, visit: careuk.com/bedtime-stories

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Bourley Grange, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and memory care in addition to respite care. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

To find out more about Bourley Grange, contact Home Admissions Advisor at Bourley Grange, Jonathan Fahy, on jonathon.fahy@careuk.com, call 01252 756438 or visit careuk.com/bourley-grange