Residents Supporting Young Leaders
Manor Grange Care Home recently welcomed a group of young people taking part in The Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award for a lovely day of Christmas crafting and connection. The event brought together generations in a spirit of creativity, conversation, and festive cheer, leaving both residents and visitors with lasting memories.
The Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award, run in partnership with The Outward Bound Trust, unites young people from diverse backgrounds and schools across Scotland. Designed to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, the programme also builds confidence and encourages young participants to make a difference in their communities. As part of their community project, this year’s team decided to organise a festive crafting session for residents at Manor Grange, planning and delivering the activity with great care and enthusiasm.
The group worked closely with the Manor Grange Activities Team to ensure everything was prepared, from sourcing materials to planning a smooth, enjoyable session. Their dedication and attention to detail shone through, and the effort they put in created a warm and engaging atmosphere for all.
The activity centred around making origami Christmas stars, with residents and students sitting side by side as they folded colourful paper and shared conversations. The festive craft not only gave everyone a creative project to focus on but also provided a wonderful opportunity for interaction. Residents enjoyed learning about the students’ backgrounds, discussing their schools and aspirations, while sharing their own life stories and memories. The day brought a sense of connection and joy, with residents appreciating the chance to see new faces and take part in something fresh and meaningful.
For the students, the experience was equally rewarding. The project gave them an opportunity to practice teamwork and communication while engaging meaningfully with older generations. By delivering an activity that sparked both creativity and conversation, they were able to make a real difference in the lives of the residents while gaining valuable personal skills in the process.
Throughout the afternoon, the care home was filled with energy, laughter, and chatter. Residents embraced the chance to connect with the young visitors, enjoying a cuppa and a biscuit as they worked on their crafts. The room buzzed with conversation, and the residents’ finished stars were met with smiles of pride and accomplishment.
The Manor Grange team praised the young people for their organisation, thoughtfulness, and ability to create such a positive experience for residents. Events like this are an important part of life at the care home, offering opportunities for intergenerational connection, creativity, and shared experiences. For residents, days like these help spark fond memories, provide a sense of achievement, and bring a refreshing change to their routine.
The origami stars now brighten residents’ rooms, serving as reminders of a day spent with inspiring young people who brought warmth and enthusiasm to Manor Grange. The care home team would like to extend their thanks to the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award participants for choosing to share their project with the residents and for delivering such a thoughtful and engaging event.
This special day highlighted the value of connection across generations and demonstrated the positive impact young people can have on their communities. The team at Manor Grange look forward to welcoming more groups in the future to create similar opportunities for interaction, creativity, and joy. For more information about the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award, visit The Outward Bound Trust.
