Eastbourne care home residents share Winnie the Pooh magic with young friends
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Residents from a care home in Eastbourne celebrated the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh with a special visit to their young friends at Gildredge House.
The group from Beechwood Grove care home on East Dean Road were accompanied by staff dressed as Pooh and his friends, to read classic stories and make bookmarks designed around the famous bear. 2026 marks 100 years since the publication of A.A. Milne’s original Winnie‑the‑Pooh and resident Jean Cockerell, 92, said the day brought back lots of happy memories.
“I used to teach primary school children and it was delightful spending time reading and doing crafts with them.”
Beechwood Grove offers residential, nursing, memory and respite care for up to 61 residents. The pupils at Gildredge House school regularly visit to play games, read stories, do crafts and enjoy time with the residents. Lifestyles Team Leader at the home, Catherine Morgan, said Winnie the Pooh was a character both age groups knew well.
“The day was lots of fun and there was so much for everyone to talk about because they all knew Pooh, Eeyore, Tiger, Piglet and Kanga. Time with the children is really energising for the residents, they really enjoyed themselves.”
Margaret Sperring, 93, was one of seven residents who spent the afternoon at the school.
“I really enjoyed seeing the children having fun,” she said. “It was lovely to watch the interaction between them and the Winnie the Pooh characters.”
Beechwood Grove and Gildredge House have had a relationship for the last four years with pupils from across the school visiting the home. Residents are also invited to attend events at the Compton Place Road site. Helen Punter-Bruce, Head of Primary at Gildredge House, said it’s not just the residents who benefit from the relationship.
“The children love spending time with their older friends,” she said. “The residents at Beechwood Grove have so much interest in the children, and also lots of experiences to share that the children find fascinating. Spending time with the residents also teaches the children patience and taking things at the pace their older friends might need.
“The Winnie the Pooh Day was a great event. It was lovely to see the children listening so well and they all had a fantastic time.”