Christmas celebration at Dashwood Manor Basingstoke

Care UK’s Dashwood Manor in Basingstoke hosted children from Kids Inc Nursery and Dandelions Community Preschool for a day filled with seasonal crafts, carols, and storytelling.

The intergenerational event was part of Care UK’s ‘Step into Christmas’ initiative, designed to revive residents’ festive traditions by encouraging them to share memories with the local community and the younger generation.

Frankie Veramu, home manager at Dashwood Manor, said: "Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of singing carols with their loved ones.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to bring different generations together for a day of festive cheer.

"It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share stories from Christmases gone by.

"We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Kids Inc Nursery and Dandelions Community Preschool for joining us and making the run up to Christmas so joyous for all involved.

"Their presence brought an extra sparkle to the day."

The day began with an 'Elf Breakfast' at Dashwood Manor, where residents took on the role of Santa’s Helpers and shared traditional Christmas refreshments with the nursery children.

The breakfast was filled with laughter and festive spirit as both generations enjoyed the simple pleasures of the season.

The celebrations continued at Dandelions Community Preschool, where Father Christmas paid a visit, bringing joy and a gift for every child.

The visit brought the magic of Christmas to life for everyone in the room.

Bob, 85, a resident at Dashwood Manor, said: "I’d been looking forward to this day all year.

"It felt like such an important occasion, and what I loved most was seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter.

"It reminded me of the Christmases I remember from years ago, when simple traditions like sharing stories, spreading kindness, and believing in a little magic meant everything.

"Keeping those traditions alive matters because they bring people together and keep the spirit of Christmas shining bright."

To round out the festivities, children from Dandelions visited Dashwood Manor to perform a carol concert for the residents.

Their mix of classic and newer Christmas songs had everyone in the home smiling, singing along, and embracing the festive spirit.

Ms Veramu said: "It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share stories from Christmases gone by."

Dashwood Manor is designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence.

The care home features a variety of spaces for hobbies and leisure activities, as well as luxury amenities such as a cinema, bar, hair and beauty salon, and gardens.

The event was part of Care UK’s ‘Step into Christmas’ initiative, which aims to revive residents’ festive traditions by encouraging them to share memories with the local community and the younger generation.

By involving children and young people, the scheme helps to create a space for meaningful intergenerational connection.

To find out more about Dashwood Manor and its approach to care, contact customer relations manager Leahanne Wilkinson by calling 01256 805988, emailing leahanne.wilkinson@careuk.com or visiting careuk.com/care-homes/dashwood-manor-kempshott.

For more information on Care UK’s Step into Christmas campaign, visit careuk.com/Step-into-Christmas.