South Shields primary school helps spread Christmas joy to care home residents

Biddick Hall Infant and Nursery School in Galsworthy Road, South Shields, composed and sent their festive letters to residents at the Stanley Street Talbot Medical Centre.

The school had already begun to forge links with the care home last year when Year 2 pupils sang Christmas carols for socially isolated residents at the centre.

Teacher Rachel Dixon explained the ‘back story’ behind the compassionate Christmas initiative, after festive visit Biddick Hall pupils paid the medical centre last December.

“The residents were so impressed with the children’s singing and Sharmila [Parks GP] remarked how respectful the children were,” she said.

"Headteacher Andrea Willis, and the rest of the school, were keen to make more formal links with a local care home, but unfortunately Covid stopped this from happening. Christmas was coming around again and so the project ‘Classroom to Care Home’ was born!”

Ms Dixon said such projects show that the school “value[s] their children’s personal development as well as their academic achievements”.

She added: "The children aged 3-7 years have all been learning about caring for others in the community and were very excited to be able to make people smile this Christmas.

“They hope to continue this friendly partnership throughout the year, with Easter and Summer good wishes too!

"Who knows, maybe one day the children will be able to visit the residents in person!”

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