Community spirit brings Christmas cheer to Glastonbury care home residents
Residents of a dementia care home in Glastonbury are making the most of their strong community links in the run-up to Christmas with neighbours young and old.
Forty members of St. Benedict’s C of E VA Junior School’s Glee Club gave a ‘fabulous’ performance at St Benedict’s Nursing Home in early December, and the school choir returned to sing carols and Christmas songs to residents.
Residents were also very happy to be guests of honour at the pupils’ Nativity Plays, hosted by St Benedict’s Church, at the end of term.
William Merivale, deputy operations manager at St Benedict’s Nursing Home, said: “We are so lucky to have a close relationship with our friends in the community, both St Benedict’s Church and St John the Baptist Church as well as St Benedict’s Juniors.
“At the beginning of December our residents were invited by Father Kieron Rowley to join local businesses in decorating our own tree which, with others, remains on display in St John the Baptist Church right up until Christmas Day.
“Otherwise, back at the home we’ve had concerts from visiting singers and our amazing activities team is co-ordinating a full month’s Christmas-themed fun including wreath making, other arts and crafts, singalongs and flower arranging.
“The residents really enjoy the familiarity of all the Christmas traditions and traditional music, food and games.
“We’ve had a lot of happy reminiscing about past Christmases, but they seem to be thoroughly enjoying Christmas 2024 as well.”
St Benedict’s Nursing Home is run by specialist dementia care providers White Care Group, who also run St Cecilia Care Home in Shepton Mallet and The Rectory Care Home in Taunton.
