Heartbeat: Nursery children delight patients on elderly care wards
December 21, 2018
Children from Sandwell Day Nursery brought smiles to the faces of patients on our older people’s assessment unit (OPAU) and Lyndon 5 earlier this month. The group, a mix of ages two, three and four, visited the wards to perform a number of Christmas songs and had the patients singing along with them.
The idea was the brainchild of Activity Coordinator, Donna Hawkins, who used to work in the day nursery at City Hospital before taking on her new role.
“We are always looking for different methods of therapy for the patients,” said Donna.
“We often do things such as listen to music or watch films, but I thought we could try something different in the lead up to Christmas.
“Many of the patients on the wards often talk to me about their grandchildren or great grandchildren and how much joy they bring them, so I contacted Emma Collier (nursery manager) in the day nursery to see if she could bring some of the nursery children to sing some Christmas songs to the patients.”
The children sang a number of songs including Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas and many of the patients joined in, either singing or clapping along.
Allan Heard, a patient on OPAU said: “That was brilliant – they children were so good and so well behaved. I have four great grandchildren around the same age and they always bring a smile to my face – I have missed them whilst I have been in hospital so the nursery children really cheered me up – they made my day.”
Emma said: “When I spoke to Donna I thought it was fantastic idea and we got practicing right away. The children were so excited to come into the hospital to sing for the patients. I think they did a fantastic job and they really enjoyed themselves.”
Thee year old Scarlett, who sang at the top of her voice and waved to all of the patients said: “I liked making people happy.”
The therapy team have a number of festive activities planned throughout December, including a Christmas quiz, cracker making and a Christmas themed exercise class.