Care home residents hail nursery for making them 'feel alive again'

Residents at a care home in Stockport have praised the facility's new on-site children's nursery for 'bringing my heart up' and 'making me feel alive again'.

Located at the heart of Hazel Grove village beside Torkington Park, Fernlea is one of just three care homes in the UK with a nursery on its grounds and the only one to run it in-house without an independent provider.

Fernbees Day Nursery opened last year to offer opportunities for children to engage their imagination, challenge themselves, and express their individuality through interaction with the older generation.

And it seems the residents absolutely love it too. Heartwarming comments include 'It makes me feel alive again' and 'I don't have any family, the children look forward to seeing me and I look forward to seeing them - it brings my heart up'.

Fernlea spokesperson Louise Claffey explained: "Some of our residents have very little contact with their families so they really look forward to the activities with the children.

"These can range from regular sessions of songs, rhymes, and storytelling; day trips and walks in the park; to more ad-hoc activities, like World Kindness Day, where the children and residents can celebrate together in different ways.

"The unconditional joy and energy of our youngest generation can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and depression in the older generation.

"And of course, this interaction can also benefit the children. By engaging with people of all ages and all walks of life, they can improve their understanding of the world."

Louise knows from first-hand experience the benefits of intergenerational activity.

The Claffey family has been actively involved in the day-to-day running of Fernlea, part of the Olea Care