Herald - Issue 417

Page 40 • The HERALD • 6th January 2022 v F @ heraldpublishing v KIDS ZONE Pupils at Halterworth Primary School in the market town sang for residents at Durban House on Tuesday 7th December, and, to ensure everyone’s safety, it all happened over Zoom. e half an hour festive video call saw residents at the nurse-led care home and schoolchildren coming together to sing a range of Christmas carols, and it was a Yuletide event to remember. Janie Wilkins, Registered Home Manager at Durban House, said it was a great way to start o the care home’s list of festive activities last year. She said: “We had lots planned for our residents in the lead-up to Christmas, and the festive singalong was a fantastic way to kick these off. A huge thank you goes to the fabulous group of primary school kids who sang beautifully. They brought a smile to the face of every single person here, which is so important, especially at Christmas time.” Allison Brown, Primary Mastery Specialist at Halterworth Primary, is delighted the children could still sing for members of the local community, despite not being able to do it in person. She said: “We have a lovely, enthusiastic group of singers in our choir here, who love sharing their songs with the local community. Unfortunately, because of the ongoing pandemic, we were unable to visit Durban House in person, but we chose the next best option, and we sang over Zoom. All the children loved sharing the Christmas songs and it was wonderful to see the residents joining in.” As well as the Christmas singalong, Durban House residents were treated to a live singing session via YouTube, a festive quiz, and lots of in-house music in the run up to Christmas. Janie added: “ Music especially, is hugely beneficial to our residents. It stimulates many parts of the brain at once, assisting to reduce anxiety and depression, and supporting cognition, speech, and memory.” Durban House is part of Sears Healthcare and CEO Richard Adams is thrilled the residents were able to take part in such a worthwhile activity. He said: “At Durban House, we are a nurse-led care home, so our approach focuses on providing a home from home for our residents while we meet their healthcare needs. It is wonderful to hear how much each one of them enjoyed singing along with Halterworth Primary school pupils.” Situated about a mile or so away from Romsey town centre, Durban House o ers excellent accommodation for nursing, dementia and end of life care. For more information, visit: www.durbanhouse.co.uk Romsey Schoolchildren’s Christmas ‘Zoom’ Singalong for Care Home Residents Haskins Garden Centre in West End, Southampton, donated 100 toy reindeers to Southampton Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). e toys were given as a gi to children who are receiving care in the PICU over the Christmas break. Darryl McMahon, Assistant General Manager of Haskins West End, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to continue with our Haskins’ Christmas toy donation this year, with many charities needing a little extra support than usual after the past two difficult years. “Our centres are closely connected to their local communities, and it is truly fantastic that they have built strong relationships with their local charities to identify where the biggest need is for this donation. “We hope the cuddly reindeer toys will bring some festive magic to the children in the care of Southampton’s PICU and spread some much-needed festive goodwill.” Kerry Houghton, Operations Manager for Friends of PICU, added: “We were absolutely delighted to receive the wonderful donation of cuddly reindeers from Haskins West End. These will be given to all the children on the PICU in the lead up to, and during, Christmas and we know this will be appreciated by all the children and families that will receive one.” Haskins has donated more than 500 cuddly reindeer toys to schools and charities across the south this festive season, in communities that are local to its centres. Haskins has centres in Ferndown (Dorset), West End (Southampton), Roundstone and Snowhill (West Sussex) and Forest Lodge (Surrey). e business also acquired Birdworld in Farnham last year. Please visit: www.haskins.co.uk for further information. Peter Callaway General Manager (Haskins), Sophie Menjou Assistant Team Leader (Haskins, Kerry Houghton Operations Manager (PICU), Luke Mould Team Leader Garden Centre Spreads Christmas Cheer to Children in Southampton’s PICU Sports Grants Support Young People Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has awarded £85,423 in grants from the Made By Sport ‘Clubs In Crisis’ Fund. This investment in local grassroots sports clubs and organisations will leave a long-lasting and positive legacy for the futures of young people. e Made By Sport #ClubsInCrisis Fund, supported by the Cash4Clubs scheme, is bene tting 40 clubs and organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, enabling them to deliver sports development programmes for people under the age of 25. e grants aim to encourage and develop a range of life skills and knowledge that bene ts both individuals and their local communities. NEW FOREST A grant of £2,021 to DFJ Multisports in Lymington has allowed children to engage in a variety of sports and physical activities over the summer, inspiring a love of sport and learning how to become healthier in the longer term. HIWCF is committed to supporting the resources and projects of smaller community groups and voluntary organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. During 2020 the Foundation awarded over £2.3 million in grants to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Smarties Parent & Toddler Group e Parent & Toddler Group, Smarties, meet every Monday morning , during term time, at St John’s Hall, Hythe and are currently looking for two more volunteers to join in the fun! During each session the toddlers have various activities such as cra ing or baking followed by snacks and drinks. Each week they nish with singing time. e session also gives time for parents to chat and make new friends. If you are interested and would like to see what they do then please contact Chris Stares on: 023 8089 3379 for more information.