Rita & Elspeth:  

Lavender Hills is a care home in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester which is part of the Millennium Care Group. Intergenerational connection is an important part of Millennium’s ethos, and the care group regularly sees the impact of bringing people of all ages together for their mutual benefit.  

The Activities & Wellbeing Manager, Abi, makes it her priority to get to know each of residents and find innovative ways to make sure everyone has gets involved with something they enjoy. She regularly introduces bespoke activities to fit with the interests of the individual residents, whether that includes hosting a podcast or spending time with children enjoying music during sessions run by Intergenerational Music Making, a charity which brings people of all ages together through the power of music. 

Abi’s daughter Elspeth is a regular visitor at the home. Often spending time there chatting to residents and joining them for colouring, gardening and music and movement sessions. Elspeth feels very at home in the environment having joined in with activities during Abi’s original training and hanging out with the residents regularly during school holidays and after school. The 8-year-old has a lot of fun with her friends at the home. One special connection she made is with Rita. 

Rita has lived at Lavender Hills for just over a year. She was an office worker who met her husband at night school. They married when she was 22 and had four children.  Rita has always enjoyed music and spending time with her husband going to classical music concerts in Manchester as well as to the theatre. They enjoyed travelling and when they retired, would spend three months abroad each year in Portugal and Spain. 

Rita’s children and grandchildren are regular visitors at Lavender Hills. She enjoys taking part in all the activities including the Move & Groove sessions. As well as classical music, Rita loves a sing-along to Abba.  

Rita said: 

“It so wonderful to spend time with Elspeth and to watch her so at home and comfortable here. When the children come in its pure joy and just makes us smile. It encourages everyone to get involved in the activities and gives us all something to talk about.” 

Elspeth looks forward to coming in and has a lot of fun with the residents. She particularly enjoys drawing and spending time outside. She is a big fan of Taylor Swift, but through spending time at Lavender Hills she now also has a great appreciation for the music of Elton John and Dolly Parton.  

Elspeth wants to be a zookeeper or a vet when she’s older and will be sure not to miss visiting Rita when the petting zoo comes to Lavender Hills during the summer school holidays.