Sutton Coldfield care home fulfils three former teachers’ wishes of working with children again

Care home residents in Sutton Coldfield were delighted to have the opportunity to revisit their past careers as teachers and spend the day working with children again. 

When the team at Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, learned that residents Kathleen Evan, 92, Celia Gibson, 76, and Mary Cooper, 94, were keen to put their teaching caps back on, they were determined to fulfil their wish.

The team arranged for the three retired teachers to visit Seesaws Nursery in Sutton Coldfield, where it brought back many special memories of working with children and enabled them to share their passion for inspiring young minds.

While at the nursery, the residents spent time talking and having fun with the children, which allowed them to reminisce about their time teaching little ones during their own careers. 

Kathleen’s daughter, Heather, spoke about her mother’s career, which she even made it into the local newspaper for, saying: “The picture of Kathleen was in the Kidderminster Shuttle newspaper sometime in the late 1950s. It shows her adjusting a microscope with her students beside her. Back then, she only taught girls, as science lessons were held separately. This visit brought those moments to life again.”

Mary’s daughter Nicola also shared thoughts on her mother’s teaching journey. She said, “Mary taught at Alumwell Lower School in Walsall. This trip was a wonderful opportunity to bring back memories of Mom’s teaching career.”

The visit formed part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which enables residents to put forward their wishes to revisit old hobbies or try something completely new. Whether it’s a fish and chip supper, a skydive or watching a football match, no wish is too big or too small.

Commenting on her trip to the nursery, Kathleen said: “I was very excited because I hadn’t been to a nursery or school for many years.”

Celia, added: “This was a really exciting trip for me as well. I taught children of the same age group.”

Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “It was great to see Kathleen, Celia and Mary connect with their past careers of working with children. They have so much passion for teaching and dedicated many years of their lives to the profession. 

“Here at Mercia Grange, we understand how important it is for residents to live fulfilling lives and connecting the residents with their past is just one example of how we do this. We also know how beneficial nostalgic experiences and intergenerational relationships can be. For many, they can provide a sense of purpose and improve wellbeing. 

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Seesaws Nursery for inviting our residents along for the afternoon. They were truly in their element!"

Mercia Grange 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 three-storey care home, which features 67 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.