Strengthening Community Links at Harrier Grange
At Harrier Grange, we believe in fostering meaningful connections between our residents and the local community. Over the past few months, our residents have enjoyed a series of activities with local children which have strengthened intergenerational bonds and brought joy to everyone involved.
During the festive season, our residents took part in a special Christmas card exchange with the children from Farleigh School. Each resident received a beautifully handcrafted card, filled with personalised messages from the children. This simple yet thoughtful gesture lifted spirits and made Christmas even more special and created lovely intergenerational connections as our residents wrote back with their festive wishes.
As part of our commitment to supporting the wider community, our residents also collected newspapers for Shepherds Spring Pre-School Nursery. The nursery used the donated newspapers to help insulate their yurt, ensuring the children stayed warm during the colder months. In appreciation, the nursery sent a heartfelt thank-you card, which meant a great deal to our residents, reminding them of the impact their kindness can have.
Most recently, we celebrated World Book Day with a delightful visit from the children of Dandelions Day Nursery and Pre-School. The children arrived with their favourite books and colourful drawings, eager to share their love of storytelling. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed listening to the children read and reminiscing about the stories they once read to their own families. These moments of shared laughter and learning were truly special and highlighted the joy of coming together through literature.
Engaging with local schools and nurseries is incredibly important to us, as it helps our residents maintain their sense of belonging within the community. For many, Andover has been their home for decades, and these connections allow them to continue feeling an active part of the town they love. For others who have moved to the area to live at Harrier Grange, these interactions provide a warm welcome, helping them settle into their new home with a sense of familiarity and inclusion.
Alongside these wonderful community activities, we would like to recognise our Employees of the Month—Smitha and Prem. With countless recommendations from residents and staff alike, we simply couldn’t choose between them! Their years of dedication and hard work have made them invaluable members of our team, and we are incredibly grateful for all that they do.
Resident Spotlight: Audrey Hudson
This month, we are delighted to shine a light on Audrey Hudson, a resident whose love for acting has been a defining part of her life. From a young age, Audrey found her passion for the stage through taking part in school plays. Encouraged by her teachers and family, she continued to pursue acting and eventually became a proud member of the Andover Operatic Society.
Her time with the society was filled with unforgettable experiences, as she took on major roles in well-loved productions performed at Cricklade Theatre (now “The Lights”). Among the many performances she took part in, some of the most cherished include Oklahoma, Merrie England, and her all-time favourite, Viva Mexico. In the 1996 production of Viva Mexico, Audrey played the fabulous ‘Mama Inez’—a role that won her glowing praise and remains a standout memory to this day.
Reflecting on her time in theatre, Audrey speaks fondly of the friendships she formed, the excitement of performing to a live audience, and the joy of bringing stories to life. Acting and singing gave her a sense of fulfilment and confidence, and she treasures the memories of this time.
Though her days on stage may be behind her, Audrey still loves to reminisce about her experiences and share stories with fellow residents and staff. Her enthusiasm for the arts remains strong, and she enjoys watching musicals, listening to classic show tunes, and even taking part in our home’s music and drama activities.
To find out more about the ways we enrich the lives of our residents here at Harrier Grange Care Home, book a tour! We would love to welcome you to explore our home and support you or your loved ones through your next chapter.
