CARE HOME residents in Darlington celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with party games and treats thanks to special gift boxes from local college students.
Residents at Darlington Manor, Ventrass Hall, Hundens Park, Grosvenor Park, The Lawns and Abbeyfield, all in Darlington, were given a Jubilee celebration box filled with cakes, bunting, royal bingo, quiz games and flags ahead of the royal celebrations.
The special gift box was prepared and donated by young volunteers at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, as part of their community work for Interact Club, a student-led, extracurricular group that meets weekly to support local, national and international projects.
Student Elizabeth Wheeler, of the Interact Group, said: “It’s been great fun putting together the Jubilee Party in a box, we hope all the care home residents have as much fun using them.”
Cathie Dalton, manager at Abbeyfield, in Darlington, said the residents loved the students coming into the care home to chat to them regularly.
“The Jubilee boxes are a lovely idea and they were looking forward to playing Jubilee bingo,” she said. “It brightens the residents’ day when the students come in, it really does make a difference and they have a good old chat.”
Club co-ordinator, Nancy Wall, said: “Interact members have supported local care homes and visited residents for a number of years, but Covid restrictions have forced us to look at new and different ways for students to volunteer their time.
“Originally, we had hoped to host a large Jubilee party for local care home residents, but sadly that wasn’t possible while still in a pandemic, so the students have really devoted their time, care and effort to create these wonderful gift boxes.”
As well as the care homes in Darlington, homes in Hartlepool, Dewsbury and Beverley, in Yorkshire, were also sent Jubilee supplies.