Seven-year-old berry picker bonds with Shannon Court resident

A resident and a young boy has become best friends at Shannon Court, in Surrey. Resident Gladys Bendell, one of the longest residing residents at the care home, enjoys hanging out with Harrison, who is the son of one of the Home’s Activities Coordinators, Leah Oliver. Harrison, a seven-year-old boy who has autism, has built a great relationship with Gladys, and now they are ‘best friends’.

Recently, Harrison decided to pick some blackberries for the Home’s Chef to make a pie. With the Home Manager’s permission, he took Gladys for a walk around the Home’s extensive grounds with Leah accompanying them. Resident Gladys explains:

My job was quality control. Harrison picked the berries from the bushes and put them in a tub for me to check. I tried the odd one here and there, you know, for taste testing.

I really enjoyed being out there in the fresh air! It also brought back lots of memories from when I was a little girl, going blackberry picking to make a pie. I can still recall the smell of them being cooked so well.

Harrison, the expert berry picker, said:

I had a great time with Gladys and had so much fun picking blackberries for a pie! We even found apples in the garden, too. Best day ever!

Activities Coordinators Leah Oliver said:

Gladys was very thankful to Harrison for choosing to take her out. They really are the best of friends, and always look forward to the next time they see each other.

The Home’s staff believe that bringing children into Shannon Court really supports the residents’ mental health and wellbeing. Residents and children spend time together, exchanging experiences, engaging in activities and going for walks, which is also beneficial for everyone’s physical health.

Furthermore, this allows residents to have a presence in their local communities. Thanks to these initiatives, they are able to stay connected, which has a huge positive impact on their wellbeing.

[Summary: Resident Gladys Bendell and Harrison, a seven-year-old boy who has autism, have built a great relationship at Shannon Court, in Surrey. Harrison decided to pick some blackberries for the Home’s Chef to make a pie. He took Gladys for a walk around the Home’s grounds. The Home’s staff believe that bringing children into Shannon Court really supports the residents’ mental health and wellbeing.]