Care home bookworms celebrate National Storytelling Week

BOOKWORMS at care homes across the North have been celebrating National Storytelling Week.

Residents at Hill Care homes in Derbyshire and the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and West have been sharing their favourite yarns and fondest memories.

Year 5 pupils from Mandale Mill Primary School visited Mandale House Care Home, both in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, to read their favourite stories to residents.

Toddlers from Brookhill House Day Nursery, in Stapleford, were treated to tall tales and nursery rhymes when residents at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, in Sandiacre, paid them a visit.

At Barnfield Care Home in Chesterfield, residents took a trip to Holmewood Library to pick up novels and audiobooks.

And at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, in Peterlee, residents created their own short books about some of their fondest memories.

More than two dozen Hill Care homes took part in National Storytelling Week, now in its 18^th year, promoted by The Society For Storytelling.

Wendy Waddicor, managing director of the Hill Care Group, said: “National Storytelling Week is a great opportunity to bring the young and elderly together, to share stories and memories or simply appreciate discussing a good novel.

“Stories are enjoyed by all generations, in every medium, from a physical book to the audio version, whether read on a computer, smartphone or page. They help bring everyone together.

“Reading a good book is, of course, a year-round activity but everyone at Hill Care is already looking forward to celebrating National Storytelling Week again next year.”