A heartwarming intergenerational event brought festive joy to a Birmingham care home this week, as residents shared cherished Christmas memories with local schoolchildren.
Carol Singing Bridges Generational Gap
On Wednesday 18th December 2025, the corridors of Care UK’s Edgbaston Manor on Speedwell Road echoed with the sound of traditional carols. The event saw elderly residents join young visitors from the Harper Bell Seventh Day Adventist School for a special day of seasonal activities.
The gathering was part of Care UK’s ‘Step into Christmas’ initiative. This programme is specifically designed to revive residents’ personal festive traditions and create a meaningful space for them to connect with younger people.
Memories of Christmas Past Shared
For the residents, the carols were far more than just songs; they were direct links to their own childhoods. The shared singing sparked conversations and the exchange of stories about Christmases long ago.
Betty Rorke, a resident at Edgbaston Manor, expressed her delight. "I enjoyed seeing the children sing," she said. "They looked like they were having such a good time, and they were delightful children."
Betty also recalled a cherished personal tradition: "Celebrating Christmas is important to me because it’s something we’ve always done. One tradition I remember was going to midnight mass once I was old enough."
Filling the Home with Seasonal Joy
The home manager, Zoe Steventon, described the profound impact of the day. "Hearing residents and the children sing together filled the home with such joy," she stated.
"For many residents here, these carols are cherished songs from their own childhood and sharing them with the younger generation was a beautiful way to keep tradition alive," Steventon added. She extended gratitude to the school for helping to bring the true spirit of the season to the home.
Edgbaston Manor provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite. The home is configured into distinct neighbourhoods to foster close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among all residents.
