Happily ever after! Stansted care home residents joined by local youngsters for World Book Day

Residents at a care home in Stansted have been reading classic fairytales with local school children to celebrate World Book Day. 

It was a truly ‘novel’ morning, as residents from Care UK’s Mountfitchet House, on Coltsfield, welcomed children from Magna Carta Primary Academy into the home to read magical stories in celebration of World Book Day.

The children, who had been practising their best character voices, sat with the residents and read to them, so that they could enjoy a retelling of famous childhood stories. The residents also got into character to read to the children and tell their own fairytales. 

Commenting on the morning, Ann Kimberley, 92, said: “The children were so polite, it was a very enjoyable morning, I loved listening to all the children reading. Reading is important as a place to escape and relax, as well as learning.”

Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, said: “We’ve had a wonderful time reading stories here at Mountfitchet House. Seeing the children enjoying reading so much and the residents creating their own fairytales for the youngsters was wonderful to see. 

“Intergenerational relationships can be incredibly beneficial for both younger and older people and can provide residents with a sense of wellbeing and purpose—so we would like to extend our thanks to Magna Carta Primary Academy for visiting us here at Mountfitchet House for World Book Day.” 

Mountfitchet House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.