Children given chance to beat the boredom and help Mansfield care home residents through creative competition

Red Oaks Care Community on Clipstone Road West is appealing to youngsters to pull out their pens, coloured paints or pencils.

The challenge calls for the young people to draw a picture or write a poem on the theme of the colour red, acorns or an oak tree. There are three competition categories for ages between five and six, seven and nine and 10 plus.

The initiative is part of the Red Oaks organisation’s ‘#KeepinTouch’ campaign aimed at inspiring children’s creativity, whilst also boosting the spirits of residents during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Red Oaks, which is part of the Red Homes Healthcare Group, provides care for up to 40 residents.

The competition is aimed at involving the residents in an activity different to the home’s usual daily schedule. It is also hoped it will also help the children beat the boredom of the Easter holidays amid the recent lockdown.

At the end of April, the care home residents get to judge the entries and select three winners, in the three age groups, to receive high street vouchers.

Lin Amos, the general manager of Red Oaks said: “The Coronavirus lock down is encouraging us all to become more creative and residents are enjoying the different activities and hobbies we’re doing.

“This competition is a first for us and we’re looking forward to bringing our warm and homely environment to life with all of the entries.

“The care and wellbeing of our residents is paramount and by bringing the letters, poems and pictures from the outside in, we know that our residents will thrive from seeing them all and will very much enjoy the judging process as well.”

To submit competition entries send via email to Lisa at [email protected] Or to find out more information about the Red Oaks Care Community visit the website here.