A festive mission by Brighstone CE Aided Primary School to bring some Christmas cheer to elderly residents in their local community was completed with a delivery of cards and letters to residents at Brighstone Grange care home.
With usual carol singing and care home visits cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, pupils set to work by writing letters and drawing pictures for older people living in the local area.
The school teamed up with Brighstone’s Community Hub Co-ordinator to identify people living alone in the village who would benefit from messages from the children.
Headteacher, Mrs Rebecca Lennon, said:
“With our Collective Worship focus on compassion this term, we have been learning about how to help those in need and being a good neighbour. The children wanted to do something to help those who may be feeling a bit lonely and came up with the idea of writing letters and drawing pictures to pop through residents’ letterboxes. We worked with Brighstone’s Community Hub Co-ordinator to link with local residents in need of a pick-me-up and have received some lovely cards and letters in return.
“It is heart-warming to know the children’s actions have had a positive impact at what is a particularly difficult time for people.”
Carole Truman, Brighstone Community Hub Co-ordinator, said:
“The community hub was established in March when it was clear that lockdown was imminent and that there would be many people in Brighstone who would be shielding and confined to their homes. It has been great that our group has now been able to connect with the younger members of our community through the work of the school. It has been wonderful that children have been able to express good wishes and to show people how much they care.”
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More than 120 cards were given to members of the community via the hub, and another 115 ‘heart’ messages and pictures were handed to Brighstone Grange care home near Brighstone to display in communal areas. Pupils from the school would normally visit the home to sing carols each Christmas, but this year residents will be able to watch the school’s nativity performance online instead.
Linnet Hutchinson, Vital Coordinator at Brighstone Grange care home, said:
“It was lovely to receive the drawings and messages from the children this Christmas; it has given our residents a real boost. They have also thoroughly enjoyed watching the school’s nativity online, with the added bonus that it can be watched again and again! Thank you Brighstone School!”
