Sway care home resident takes a trip down memory lane

A care home resident in Sway was delighted to be back in the classroom to celebrate National Storytelling Week at a local primary school.  

When the team at Care UK’s Sway place, on Church Lane, learned that Shirley Crampton, aged 91, and a retired primary school teacher was keen to put her teaching cap back on, they were determined to make it happen.

Shirley’s teaching career began in 1958 at Handsworth Primary School, in London, teaching children between the ages of six and eight. 

The team organised a special trip to St Luke’s CE Primary School, in Sway, for Shirley and her friends at the home Ann and Maureen. Shirley led a special reading session with pupils from reception and year one, reading some of the children’s favourite stories aloud and sharing tales from her days as a teacher. 

Commenting on the day, Shirley said: “The visit to St Luke's CE Primary School brought back so many fond memories of my days as a teacher. It felt like only yesterday and I was right back in the classroom again, it was lovely seeing the children and engaging with them.”

Jane Baxter, General Manager at Sway Place said: “It was fantastic to see Shirley reconnect with her successful career as a teacher, her teaching skills were as sharp as always! 

“Here at Sway Place, we know intergenerational relationships can be incredibly beneficial to both younger and older people alike and can provide residents with a sense of wellbeing and purpose. Shirley is always sharing stories from her days as a teacher, so it was wonderful to be able to help her relive those fond memories, while making some new friends.

“It was great to see Shirley in her element, reading stories to the pupils of St Luke’s CE Primary School. We’d like to thank them for inviting us into their classroom and we hope to see the pupils again soon.”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Sway Place incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, dementia care and respite care. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, and 14 independent living cottages, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.