Residents of Parkfield House Nursing Home have officially become published authors, thanks to the launch of their delightful children’s book, Little Alice: Head in the Clouds.
This is the evocative story of a young girl’s adventure at the top of the world and her encounters with well-known fairytale characters. Illustrated by residents, with support from artists Hannah Wood and Pen Poultney, and in collaboration with the ageing charity Equal Arts, the book is a testament to the creativity, passion and collaborative spirit of our residents, known as the ‘Parkfield Peckers’.
Over several months, the Parkfield Peckers poured their hearts into creating Little Alice: Head in the Clouds. From crafting the story and characters to doing the preliminary sketches, every detail reflects their collective imagination and teamwork.
Maureen summed up her fellow residents’ thoughts and feelings by saying: “It’s brought tears to my eyes; I didn’t expect anything like this. I used to make up stories for my children all the time.”
Added home manager Glendeen Quow: “It is a truly lovely book! So much hard work went into creating it, and it’s certainly the product of some excellent teamwork. It was a very intense but positive experience for everyone!”
The project was made possible by a £4,980 grant from Heathrow Community Trust, which supported the Parkfield Peckers’ ‘The Creative Exchange’ initiative. The year-long undertaking was all about celebrating creativity, fostering local pride and uniting the generations through storytelling, art and meaningful interaction.
“This vibrant and whimsical tale captures the essence of childhood and bridges generations, reminding us all that imagination has no age limit and that stories have the power to bring people together,” said Hannah.
A particular highlight of the project was the collaboration between Parkfield residents and pupils from nearby Glebe Primary School. The two groups have built a strong bond via drama games, storytelling sessions, art activities and plenty of shared laughter. After Little Alice was published, the residents and pupils came together at a joyful celebration at the school, where the story was brought to life with readings and games.
The children said: “Each time we have met our friends at Parkfield, we are so excited and know they are excited to visit us. We all feel happier afterwards. We’ve written stories and poems for each other, played drama games and made art together.”
Every resident received a copy of the book and several were donated to the school’s library, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the tale. Although Little Alice: Head in the Clouds is not available publicly, there are copies at the home if anyone is interested in reading it. And, of course, there may be one or more sequels to come in the future!
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