Norfolk school helps care home resident relive her lollipop lady days

A former lollipop lady returned to the role for a special day thanks to a Norwich school, a local charity and the county's fire and rescue service

Valerie is a resident at Broadland Lodge Care Home and speaks fondly about her 40 years as a lollipop lady which she started in the 1970s, and says how much she loved the job.

The home contacted Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and local school Firside Junior, a member of the Wensum Trust,  to help make Valerie’s day and arrange a special visit and the chance to wear a hi-vis uniform once again.

The fire service is responsible for the county’s 53 crossing patrols and manager Charlotte Hayter helped arrange the special day for Valerie, who was accompanied by a carer.

“I was approached by Broadlands Lodge Care Home and asked if it was at all possible we could help Valerie relive her days as Lollipop Lady. Many of our lollipop ladies and lollipop men build lifelong connections with the schools they support, so I was keen to take on such a project and approached Firside Primary School to plan as Firside was already connected to the care home via the work of Friend In Deed,” said Charlotte.

“Valerie lives with dementia and this activity enhanced her wellbeing as she was able to connect with her past. As a former registered care home manager myself I appreciate the importance of reminiscence activities and when these can be blended with inter-generational work it leads to a truly fulfilling and worthwhile activity for all who take part. I was honoured to have been able to arrange this and make it a reality. “

“It all came back to Valerie as soon as she put the uniform back on. All the children were beautifully behaved and so polite. Valerie was a lollipop lady from 1973, seeing different generations throughout her time,” said a spokesman for Friend in Deed, a local charity that works to encourage cross-generational events.

Valerie had four children and decided that when they were all at nursery and school she would take the job of lollipop lady for two Heartsease schools,  a first and middle school at the time, and she held the job for around 40 years.

She put on the uniform and stepped-out for a shift with a group of pupils from the junior school who were chosen specially for the job. 

Assistant Head of School Lucy Seagrove said: “We have been involved with Friend in Deed for many years. I take children on a weekly basis to visit a home local to us (not Broadlands Lodge) and the children are eager to be involved in the Community Kindness Project, and talk fondly of their friends at the home. It is lovely when you hear the children talking with others who have visited the home, to  ask if they have met Betty and how fun it is to chat with Iris. The residents are like celebrities!

“We see quiet, shy children really shy when they talk and play with our older friends in the care home. Supporting Friend in Deed means that our children can give something back to their local community and spread kindness.

“The children who took part in Valerie’s crossing petrol were all children who have been awarded a Community Kindness project badge for visiting the care home last year.”

There were requests to join the Community Kindness Project from 100 children at the school and so far 50 have been involved.