Tes launches intergenerational Christmas campaign connecting schools with care homes

Tes, which publishes news and resources for teachers, has launched a Christmas campaign encouraging school children to connect with care homes by writing letters or sending video messages to residents.

Care home residents are currently unable to go on trips outside the care home and visitor restrictions are in place due to the pandemic. Tes hopes to bring some festive cheer to residents’ lives by getting school children to share poems, drawings, jokes, riddles and stories about their festive celebrations.

Prior to the pandemic, many care homes, schools and nurseries had forged links, with children and residents regularly meeting up to share stories and chat together as well as read and sing. The benefits of this for both young and old could be seen in the popular TV show Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds.

Asa Johnson, project manager for activities and memory care at Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare, has welcomed the Tes campaign, saying: “Opportunities for intergenerational activities can bring great benefits to the older and younger people involved. Different generations can learn from each other, share ideas and experiences with one another, and have a chance to be playful, which is something we can all enjoy regardless of age.”

Christmas can 'difficult and lonely'

He added: “The Christmas period can be a difficult and lonely time for some people, and there is a risk that these feelings may be heightened this year due to the pandemic. The Tes Classrooms to Care Homes Christmas letter campaign is a great opportunity for people to try and tackle those feelings of loneliness, share good news stories and keep communities connected.”

Guy Shears, chief executive of Central RSA Academies Trust, is also backing the campaign, saying “what a fantastic way to spread some light in these difficult times”.

He said: “In previous years our schools, situated across Worcester, Kidderminster, Redditch and the Black Country, visited local care homes at Christmas and other times of year to help spread cheer.

“Pupils looked forward to collecting and delivering hampers, singing carols and enjoying the company of the residents and their carers. This always brings so much joy to the residents, and indeed our pupils. Sadly, these activities are not possible at the moment, but we were delighted to hear that Tes would be launching a lovely alternative project.”

The Tes has created a Teacher Information Pack. This recommends searching for a care home in the school’s local area by going on carehome.co.uk, which lists nearly 18,000 care homes.

To read the Teacher Information Pack click here

Schools are asked to share pictures of their pupils writing their letters on social media using the hashtag #classroomtocarehome