Forest School with Weston Green

The sun certainly shone for the Home of Compassion in Thames Ditton when they welcomed the Weston Green Preparatory School in to hold their Forest School Sessions. These off-site lessons teach the children about wildlife and the natural world.Today’s lesson comprised of making birdfeeders. Initially the residents and children had to spot different birds in the garden and identify them. Obviously as Home of Compassion's grounds are banked by the River Thames they saw plenty of water birds including geese, ducks and coots. Flying in to keep them all company were robins and jackdaws; although one of the children thought a peacock would be more fitting for the building and our surroundings; not a bad idea!Then the residents and children set about making the bird feeders. They could choose between using pine cones covered in lard then rolled in bird seed or plump for the less messy option of pipe cleaners with Cheerios threaded through them shaped into intricate shapes to challenge the birds. Plenty of squirrels took a great deal of interest in the proceedings.The completed projects were then hung around the mature trees in our gorgeous gardens for the birds to enjoy at their leisure.This event is part of a reciprocal arrangement with Weston Green School whose children have entertained the residents at Home of Compassion with their choir and touched hearts with their letters to our residents.Hopefully the weather will be as kind to everyone next week when the children return for another session on a different subject.[gallery size="medium" link="file" ids="26408,26409,26410,26411,26412,26413,26414,26415,26416,26417,26418,26419"]Home of Compassion is dedicated to providing the highest level of residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 71 elderly residents.The luxurious care home is set in delightful surroundings in the heart of Thames Ditton, with beautiful views over the river. For more information about Home of Compassion and Caring Homes visit our website at www.caringhomes.org.