Youngsters from an Aldridge nursery are serving up plenty of smiles and chuckles for elderly patients at Walsall Manor Hospital as they join in with their tea parties.

Ward 2 staff, supported by Accord Pathways 4 Life staff, hold themed tea parties to encourage patients to get out of bed, mobilise and socialise. As well as helping them to feel less isolated this is a good way to encourage them to eat and drink which will help towards their general health and wellbeing.

Once a month children from the Little Rascals Nursery join in the fun on Ward 2 and a good time is had by all!

Luke Smith, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Nursing Associate, said: “Our patients forget they’re in hospital because we take their minds off their health and ensure they have a really lovely time at our tea parties.

“This partnership with Little Rascals has been working really well and we’d like to thank the nursery staff for supporting this innovative approach. It brings a lump to your throat to see our patients laughing and joking with the children – some of whom don’t have family or friends living locally. And the children are an absolute delight. Their enthusiasm encourages some of our quietest, withdrawn patients to interact and this is turn has such a positive effect on how they feel.

“Patients who are unable to get out of bed don’t miss out as the children go into the bays to wave and chat.

“We think we may be the only NHS hospital nationally that has this arrangement and all of our staff are so proud to be part of something so special.”

The theme of this month’s tea party was the seaside, very fitting for a sunny June day.

Patient Tony Jarrott, aged 81, said: “I love having the children around. I used to always look after my granddaughter from when she was born until she was four and we would spend a lot of time together. This event brings many memories back, I feel as we are older we can make a good impression on the children.”