Two care homes in Birmingham have joined forces with local primary school children to celebrate Harvest Festival.
Residents at Care UK’s Edgbaston Manor, on Speedwell Road, and Metchley Manor, on Church Road, were joined by local school children for an a-maize-ing afternoon as they celebrated the annual festival. At Edgbaston Manor, residents welcomed pupils from Harper Bell Seven Day Adventist School for a scarecrow workshop, where together they made two scarecrows which are displayed in the gardens at the home and at the school.
At Metchley Manor, pupils from St George’s lower school hosted a Harvest Festival concert by singing Harvest season songs to the residents in the home’s lounge. Each year, Harvest Festival celebrates the time when crops have been gathered from fields and people can reflect and show gratitude for the food that they have. It dates back to when people relied on local crops for food and farmers would give thanks for a good harvest.
Commenting on the afternoon’s celebrations, Edgbaston Manor resident, Michael Patton aged 66, said: “When the staff suggested this workshop it brought back memories from my teaching days.
“The days of preparing lessons and planning for what we will need. It’s a really nice way of celebrating Harvest in an age-appropriate way.
“The children have fun while learning something new and we will have been a part of that learning experience. It is especially nice as the children have their school Harvest celebration and we as a home will be a part of it in a way.
“We may not be there in person, but our scarecrow will be.” Zoe Stevenson, General Manager at Edgbaston Manor, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Harper Bell Seven Day Adventist School children to the home to celebrate the annual Harvest Festival tradition and explore its importance today.
“Harvest Festival is a day in the calendar where we can reflect and show gratitude for the food that we have, while serving as an opportunity to connect with others, regardless of age or background, and celebrate the cultural diversity which helps make Birmingham a great place to call home.” Kim Marie Newton, General Manager at Metchley Manor, said: "At Metchley Manor, we believe in the power of intergenerational connections, and inviting local pupils to celebrate the Harvest Festival with us is a wonderful way to foster these bonds.
“This event not only allows residents to share in the joy and energy of the younger generation but also provides an opportunity for children to learn about the traditions and values that have shaped our community. Together, we celebrate the season of abundance and the spirit of togetherness that makes occasions like these truly special."
Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Metchley Manor and Edgbaston Manor, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.
