ST John’s C of E First School recently took a trip to Rowden House Care Home to finally meet residents that the students have been exchanging boxes and cards to for the last two years!
St John’s students have been exchanging cards, boxes, creative challenges and messages with residents of Rowden House for the past two years as part of the ‘Happiness Hunt’- a project by the community interest company, Make the Sunshine, that seeks to bridge the gap between the elderly and the young through creative projects.
Students and residents recently met up to enjoy a tea party, sing some songs and finally put faces to names.
Organisers say, “After two years of exchanging boxes, cards, creative challenges and messages St John’s First School and Rowden House Care Home came together! Seeing the instant friendships when they met each other for the first time was quite wonderful.
“The children were thoroughly entertained by Geoff and his jokes and riddles, and one student made a resident, Mary, a beautiful scarf to say thank you for her knitting through the years. There was also there was some beautiful singing and solos and all the residents serenaded us with ‘We’re all Going on a Summer Holiday’ in costume!
“It was made extra special thanks to all the time and effort put in by staff at St John’s First School and Rowden House, not to mention the most outrageously glorious rainbow cake from The Nestcake Caravan and a wonderful performance from Shoebox Theatre Company that has everyone giggling along!
“The event was made possible thanks to Frome Town Council who also came along to support the day!”
Manager of Rowden House, Karen, said, “The happiness hunt boxes really kept residents going during lockdown – it made such a difference.”
Key Stage 2 Lead, Nicole Simmington added, “It was like Christmas every time a box arrived!”
Make the Sunshine say they hope to continue with the project and relationships built in the autumn.
