CORGI Brings Festive Cheer To Kent Care Home
CORGI spreads festive cheer in local care home by gifting models to residents linking to their past, evoking memories and offering mental health benefits.
Just in time for Christmas, CORGI partnered with a local care home, Copperfield Court in Broadstairs, to surprise and delight their residents in the run up to the ‘big day’.
CORGI worked with the care home to investigate stories from the residents’ past, such as the first car or vehicle they drove, and reignited memories by gifting them miniature diecast versions.
As residents opened their gifts, they immediately began reminiscing, describing the sounds of the Spitfires overhead, the smell of car engines and the vibrant colours of vehicles from their past. For those living with dementia, reminders of the past, whether in the form of CORGI models, maps, music, or photographs, can trigger meaningful recollections, enhance mood and connect them to others. Such experiences are not only deeply personal but can also provide significant benefits for mental wellbeing in older adults.
Resident Christopher, 67, opened his bright red London bus which instantly sparked memories of him running along the street to catch the bus from Sutton-at-Hone into the capital for work. Christopher recalled the conductor, the all-day ticket pass, as well as running and jumping onto the back of the moving bus, holding onto the rail. Christine, 78, opened a Superior Ambulance which immediately took her back to her days as a Nursing Assistant.
Professor Victoria Tischler, Professor of Behavioural Science at the University of Surrey, commented: “Providing stimulating and joyful activities for older people is an essential part of good care. Models of vehicles represent interesting multisensory objects that can be used to promote meaningful conversation and memories.
"Handling and exploring these objects allow older people to share knowledge, and stories about travel, family and favourite films – helping to build relationships with carers and loved ones. For those with dementia, combining different senses of touch, hearing and sight brings them into the present moment and improves mood and attention.”
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David Mather, Head of Marketing at CORGI said: “We had a wonderful day spreading Christmas joy to residents local to our factory. It was lovely to see how our diecast models can help unlock memories and lead to interesting discussions with residents. For many, these models spark a sense of nostalgia – a reminder of moments, stories or passions from years gone by. Rather than the standard pair of socks or toiletries, gifting a model linked to a recollection can be such a conversation starter with family members over the festive period.”
For cars that drove loved ones to weddings, Spitfires that flew over the UK in the Second World War and vehicles from favourite films and TV shows like James Bond and Thunderbirds, visit the CORGI website at uk.CORGI.co.uk, to purchase a gift for loved ones this Christmas.
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