Timeless songs, lasting bonds: Cheshire care home welcomes local nursery to dance through the ages at silent disco

A luxury Cheshire care home has welcomed a local nursery to take part in a silent disco — a unique initiative aimed to bridge the generation gap and rekindle the residents' cherished memories through music and dance.

Priesty Fields Care Home, in Congleton, recently played host to The Nursery, who, full of excitement, injected some youthful enthusiasm into a silent disco hosted in the home’s state-of-the-art communal space.

A day filled with joy and laughter, many of the children quickly formed friendships with residents, encouraging them to dance and exchange comical glasses and props. Recognising the profound impact of music on mental well-being, this event ignited joyous childhood memories among the residents.

The carefully curated playlist, skillfully crafted by Pete Goldup, offered an eclectic blend of timeless classics and contemporary hits — catering to a diverse audience, spanning almost a century in age. The home’s retro popcorn machine, which proved very popular among the children, also ensured everyone had enough energy to keep dancing throughout the afternoon.

Despite the differences in age, the energy and innocence of the children had a huge impact on the residents — promoting physical activity far beyond their daily norm and introducing them to modern children’s music such as ‘Baby Shark’ — which was quite the contrast to Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’.

Priesty Fields is a firm believer in the power of intergenerational activities and through the magic of music and the purity of youthful spirit, the silent disco became a cherished memory for the residents and children alike — marking the start of a lasting relationship with the nursery.

Commenting on the event, Home Manager, Gill Williams, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have welcomed The Nursery for our intergenerational silent disco at the home. Seeing the residents and children come together in such a vibrant and uplifting way was truly remarkable. To witness the power of music evoke memories and bridge generations throughout the event was very special and we are grateful for The Nursery's participation and the positive impact it had on our residents' well-being."

Pat Cope, a resident at the home, also remarked: “I really enjoyed spending time with the children and having a dance with them. It was a really lovely day.”

Located in a green residential area close to Congleton’s town centre, Priesty Fields includes 78 spacious en-suite bedrooms, along with a gastropub, farmers market, cinema, spa, salon, gym, library, private dining room, garden lounge, and GP office.

Samantha Greer, from The Nursery in Congleton, added: “The silent disco was an enriching experience for our children and it was so heartwarming to witness the joy and connection that unfolded as they danced alongside the residents. The music, old and new, brought smiles, laughter, and unforgettable moments that will leave a lasting impact on both the children and the residents. It was particularly special to see the children approach the residents that were a bit apprehensive at first, as they quickly brought them out of their shells — which I think just drives home the power of these interactions."

The home is operated by the Handsale care group, which oversees the management of eight residential and nursing care homes across England, Scotland and Wales. The group prides itself on empowering its staff to provide outstanding care by putting well-being and community at the centre of its operations.

To find out more information about Priesty Fields Care Home, please visit: https://handsale.co.uk/priestyfields/ 

For more information on The Nursery, please visit: https://thenursery-nurseryschool.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral