Sweet Memories for CrossReach Home Residents

Wednesday September 12 2018

^{Williamwood House resident Pat Jones manning the till in the home's retro sweet shop}

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.

Post Tags: crossreach

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