All prose and no cons – Thorrington care home welcomes local author

A care home in Thorrington welcomed a local poet to celebrate National Poetry Day. 

Care UK’s Silversprings, on Tenpenny Hill, opened its doors to local author and poet, Ruth Loten, for an afternoon of stories and rhymes for the special day.

 

National Poetry Day is an annual celebration which inspires people throughout the UK to enjoy, discover and share poems. 

Residents enjoyed listening to Ruth read a variety of classic poems from well-known poets such as Shakespeare and Wordsworth and everyone enjoyed discussing the meanings behind them.

Inspired by the activity, 83-year-old Frances Harvey, a resident at Silversprings and keen poet herself, read aloud a published poem she wrote for her husband, demonstrating the power of poetry to prompt emotions and nostalgia. 

Commenting on the activity, Frances said: “It was lovely to talk about and listen to the poetry. I even read a poem of mine which I enjoyed!”

Joanne Rix, Home Manager at Silversprings, said: “Here at Silversprings, we’re always looking for new and exciting activities to keep residents entertained and engaged. National Poetry Day gave us the perfect opportunity to promote the benefits of being creative and letting your imagination run free.

“Reading – or simply listening to – poetry has plenty of therapeutic benefits for older people, increasing social interaction, promoting creativity and increasing relaxation. Poems also offer a re also great ways ofto encouraging residents to reminisce and share memories from their younger days as they reflect on the writing.

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Ruth for an inspiring and thought-provoking session – we’re already looking forward to planning our next creative activity.”

Silversprings is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own hair salon.

For more information on Silversprings, please call Customer Relations Manager, Lisa O’Sullivan, on 01206 809173, or email lisa.osullivan@careuk.com 

For more general information, please go to careuk.com/silversprings