A spring project is bringing joy and colour to the residents of Aria Court care home in March.
Lifestyles Coordinator Kanina O’Neil, inspired by the beauty of the season, reached out to Burrowmoor Primary Academy—where her son, Phoenix, is a pupil—to collaborate on a creative initiative designed to bring the outside in for the residents, including those who have to spend much of their time in bed.
The idea behind the project was simple yet impactful: to allow all residents to enjoy the vibrant colours and sunshine of spring, even if they spend much of their time in their rooms. Kanina and the lifestyles team sourced special craft kits featuring suncatchers shaped like birds, bees, and flowers. These kits were then given to the pupils at Burrowmoor Primary Academy to decorate during their art and craft sessions.
Once the children had finished their colourful creations, they were returned to Aria Court, where the team carefully placed them in residents’ windows. The beautifully designed suncatchers now catch the sunlight, reflecting an array of colours throughout the rooms, brightening up the space and lifting spirits.
Kanina expressed her delight at the success of the project, saying, “They really have been made beautifully, and the residents love having them on their windows. This is just one of the many projects we run with different groups in the community to encourage intergenerational activities, which benefit everyone involved.”
The initiative also aligns with this year’s Athena in Bloom competition, one part of which focuses on bringing the outdoors inside, ensuring that all residents can be included in garden-themed projects. The suncatcher project is a shining example of how creativity and community spirit can come together to enhance the wellbeing of care home residents, regardless of their mobility.
This collaboration between Aria Court and Burrowmoor Primary Academy not only brightened the residents’ rooms but also strengthened the bond between generations, proving that often it is the small acts of kindness that can have a profound impact.
