Care UK
Care UK residents across the UK prepare for National Poetry Day
A care home in Frimley is inviting the local community to join residents in celebrating National Poetry Day on Thursday 4th October.
National Poetry Day is an annual celebration that inspires people throughout the UK to enjoy, discover and share poems. This year, the Care UK team at Whitebourne care home on Burleigh Road will open its doors from 10.30am-12pm for a morning of word play and rhyming fun.
Residents and guests will be celebrating the day by reading a number of their favourite poems and rhymes aloud. Following the performances, guests will be invited to share their thoughts on popular poetry over a cup of tea.
In preparation for the event, residents are being encouraged to get their creative juices flowing by putting pen to paper to create their very own poetry on the theme of ‘change’, and exploring how significant events in their life have made an impact, as part of Care UK’s nationwide poetry competition.
Home manager, Derek Purchese, at Whitebourne said: “We’re joining in with National Poetry Day this year to promote the enjoyment, discovery and sharing of poetry across all age groups. Everyone has a favourite poem which has inspired them at some point in their life, and we want to encourage people in the local community to come together and share their favourites – or perhaps even some that they have written themselves.
“Reading poems, or being read to, can have many therapeutic benefits, especially for older people, including increasing social interaction, encouraging creativity and reducing anxiety. Poetry can even stimulate memories, encouraging reminiscence, which is incredibly beneficial for older people, particularly those living with dementia.
“We are really looking forward to hosting our National Poetry Day event, and hope the local community will join us for a day of rhyming fun.”
Whitebourne has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full time residential and dementia care as well as short term respite and day care.
To find out more about Whitebourne care home’s National Poetry Day celebrations, call 01276 819 737 or email Derek Purchese, home manager, on derek.purchese@careuk.com.
For more information on Whitebourne, please visit careuk.com/whitebourne.
National Poetry Day inspires people across the UK to celebrate and promote excellence in poetry. This year the organisers have chosen a theme of change. For more information, visit www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk/
Poetry reading and writing is just one of 100 great ideas for fun and meaningful activities that can be shared with an older loved one. Download Care UK’s free ‘As easy as ABC’ guidebook for more hints and tips: careuk.com/Easy_as_ABC.pdf
Care UK runs 119 homes nationwide. For more information, visit careuk.com