Cornerstone No. 194, page 23
Sweet Memories for CrossReach Home Residents
A CrossReach care home has taken its residents down memory lane
by opening an old-fashioned sweet shop.
The shop in the recently-opened Williamwood House in Clarkston, on the
outskirts of Glasgow, sells parma violets, pear drops, flying saucers and other
retro sweets.
Williamwood
manager
Donna
Shield says: “The sweet shop idea
originated from residents’ monthly
meetings. The area was in a
corridor at the back of the house
which has a glass atrium roof. It
had conservatory furniture but was
rarely used, so that’s why we
decided to revamp it.
“Concepts for the design, size, type
of till and scales all came from their
recollections. A wall mural design
was sketched from descriptions of
the residents’ younger days and
sent to a company to be replicated
in wallpaper.
“They named all their favourite
sweets from their youth and we sourced and bought them.
“There are a number of benefits for the residents. Firstly, social interaction, as
we have café style tables and chairs opposite the counter where they sit and
enjoy drinks and sweets.
“Also a feeling of value and worth, as it is residents who ‘serve’ in the shop and
take the money, so they are retaining skills. And those who are not normally
able to go out and about still manage to ‘shop’ within the home.
“Finally what springs to mind is ‘reminiscence’. The street mural plus the scales
and till stir up memories from their youth and stimulate discussion.”
Williamwood House, originally built in 1930 and set in extensive landscaped
grounds, is a 34-bedroom specialist care home for older people with dementia.
Resident Pat Jones is one of the people who help in the shop. She said: “The
sweet shop is very good – it’s open three days a week. I enjoy working there
as it reminds me of my younger days when I worked a till. The prices are very
reasonable, but sometimes I feel under pressure when everyone comes in at
once!”
CrossReach is the social care arm of the Church of Scotland.
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