Residents and staff at Ashwood Care and Nursing home were thrilled to welcome a baby and toddler group back into the home. Happy Little Hands are based in Spalding, teaching babies and children sign language to support pre-verbal communication as well as speech development. They began visiting the home in 2018 on a weekly basis but due to Covid-19 the classes stopped with the last visit in December 2019.
On their last Christmas visit mum Stephanie Strachan took Christmas crackers for the children to pull with the residents, tragically in December 2020 Stephanie (30) passed away. To honour her memory, her mother Sarah Murray was invited to attend and she kindly took in crackers to pull with the residents on this visit. The children also sang and signed Silent Night, which is a very special song that Venetia Tomlinson, owner of Happy Little Hands, dedicated to Stephanie too.
“To be invited back to Ashwood this Christmas was extra special and very poignant.” Said Venetia from happy little hands, “I cannot express how happy it has made me to be able to return and share the class with the residents and staff, to see their smiles when they see the babies, their reactions to the bubbles, the joy of all singing together. It was extra special to invite Steph’s mum, Sarah Murray, to join me for our return.”
The residents and staff all joined in and sang lots of songs with the group and there was plenty of dancing from the little ones, chasing bubbles and lots of laughing too It was a wonderful afternoon for all involved and it helped to get everyone ready for the festive season ahead.
“We were delighted to have Happy Little Hands back at Ashwood” said Home Manager Anita Malkevica. “Our residents love to welcome visitors and especially children at this festive time of the year. We hope their visits will become a regular feature of life here at Ashwood Nursing Home”.
For more information about Ashwood Care and Nursing Home or to make an appointment to view the home please contact, Anita Malkevica Home Manager on 01775 723 223 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com.
