Care home Christmas card campaign ramps up thanks to talented pupils

Pupils across Norfolk are hard at work putting the finishing touches to their creations which will be delivered to more than 1,600 care home residents this month.

EDP Christmas Cards project kicks off

It is all part of the Eastern Daily Press's Christmas Cards to Care Home project, which has been supported by more than 20 schools, based across the Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, Swaffham, Thetford, Dereham and Diss areas and will be delivered to 45 care homes.

Among the schools that have been busy this week are Heartwood Church of England Primary School, in Swaffham.

Nursery children three-year-olds Sienna, left, and Tiasha-Jean, with early years lead, Jen Robbins, at Heartwood Primary and Nursery School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Nursery children, three-year-olds Sienna, left, and Tiasha-Jean at Heartwood Primary and Nursery School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Three-year-old Tiasha-Jean at work at Heartwood Primary and Nursery School at Swaffham working on her Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Reception children four-year-olds Ariyah and Riley at Heartwood Primary School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Acting headteacher Emily McMillen said; "At Heartwood CE VC Primary and Nursery School, making a difference for the residents in our community and beyond is at the heart of our curriculum, with compassion a core value of the school vision.

"Our thoughtful and creative children have enjoyed and taken pride in being able to bring a little warmth, comfort and happiness to the local elderly residents through the card project. They have explored some of the emotions, particularly loneliness that some of the residents may be feeling, leaving the children wanting to make an impact and share some Christmas cheer."

Reception children four-year-olds Ariyah, left; Riley; and Mia-Rose, at Heartwood Primary School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Mason, four, at Heartwood Primary School at Swaffham working on his Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Reception children Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Children at Heartwood Primary School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Reception children, four-year-olds from left, Ariyah, Mason, Riley, Kaydon and Mia-Rose. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Year 2 children Kira, left, seven, and Denise, six, at Heartwood Primary School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Year 2 children six-year-olds Gunnar and Brooke at Heartwood Primary School at Swaffham working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

There was a hive of activity at St Mary's Junior School, in Long Stratton, on Tuesday as pupils made cards for residents at The Mayfields care home in the town, as well as the community.

Summer, eight, at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, working on her Christmas card for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Year 4 children at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, working on their Christmas cards for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Donna Franklin, curriculum lead for R.E at St Marys Junior School, said: "We know it has been a difficult year for many people and will hope these cards will bring a smile to the residents' at our local care home."

Anna, eight, at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, shows her Christmas card for the EDP project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Arthur, eight, and Sophie, nine, with their finished cards at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, for the Christmas cards project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Kate, nine, at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, working on her Christmas card for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Anna, eight, with her Christmas card at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

A Father Christmas card by Saphira, eight, at St Mary's Junior School at Long Stratton, for the project to share cards with care home residents. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

Homefield Church of England Primary School, in Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, are making cards for residents for two Lowestoft care homes.

Pupils at Homefield Church of England Primary School making cards for the EDP's Christmas Cards for Care Home project. (Image: Homefield Primary School)

Pupils at Homefield Church of England Primary School making cards for the EDP's Christmas Cards for Care Home project. (Image: Homefield Primary School)

Pupils at Homefield Church of England Primary School making cards for the EDP's Christmas Cards for Care Home project. (Image: Homefield Primary School)

The project has been supported by eight of Norfolk's MPs for helping to bring generations together.

Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland, said; "The inter-generational bond this project creates is invaluable, reminding us of our social responsibilities towards one another, and bringing hope and happiness to people across Norfolk."

Are you taking part in the project? Do not forget to send in your photos of card making to clarissa.place@archant.co.uk.