A care home in Sidcup has teamed up with local Girl Guides and joined a nationwide campaign for International Repair Day.
Residents at Smyth Lodge, on Frognal Avenue, have been rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into some hands-on DIY all in the name of sharing skills with the next generation.
As part of Care UK’s ‘Fixer Uppers’ programme, residents teamed up with local Girl Guides to revive traditional repair skills, such as fixing furniture, mending clothes, and tackling small maintenance jobs. The initiative, launched in the run-up to International Repair Day, aims to celebrate the invaluable knowledge older generations can pass on while promoting sustainability.
At Smyth Lodge, residents put their DIY skills to the test by making and painting birdboxes for the home’s garden. The Girl Guides joined in with the fun to help decorate the boxes, which they were able to take home, encouraging the next generation of bird watchers.
Using lollipop sticks, reclaimed wood, and a splash of vibrant paint, the DIY team crafted a colourful array of bird boxes, each one with a unique design ready to welcome feathered visitors. The residents shared their tips and tricks with the Girl Guides, from securing wooden panels and laying flat roofs, to adding playful windows that make each box both functional and fun.
Commenting on the day, resident Mya said: “I had a lovely time making the bird boxes with the girl guides. I really enjoyed sharing tips and talking about what kind of birds would visit the bird houses.”
Tracey Cheeseman, Home Manager at Smyth Lodge, said: “Residents have honed their DIY skills over a lifetime, and the Fixer Uppers’ project has been a fantastic way for them to connect with young people and share practical knowledge in a meaningful way.
“It was wonderful to see everyone fully engaged and residents swapping stories, learning from one another, and genuinely enjoying the process.
“We’d like to thank Girl Guides for coming to the home to make bird boxes for our local wildlife. It was a brilliant afternoon, and we look forward to many more visits in the future.”
To find out more about Fixer Uppers, please visit: www.careuk.com/Fixer-Uppers
Smyth Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, and offers luxury facilities including its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon, gym and pub.
To find out more about Smyth Lodge, please contact Customer Relations Manager Rebecca Marchant on 01732 809 189, email rebecca.marchant@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/smyth-lodge.
