Children at a Malvern school have a new ‘buddy bench’ after winning a competition run by a care home.

The bench was presented to Malvern Parish Primary School by Elgar Court Care Home this week.

Elgar Court had invited local schools to think up names for three communities at the home.

The winning names were thought up by Malvern Parish Primary School.

They came up with Peachfield Community, Foley Community, and Beacon Community for the home’s ground, first and second floors respectively.

By way of a prize, the children asked for a donation towards a new ‘Buddy Bench’ for the playground and Elgar Court were happy to oblige.

Becky Hughes, the teacher who led this activity with the school council, said: “The children got really involved in the Elgar Court naming activity, and took advice from some of the local grown ups to get their inspiration.

“It was part of their mission this year to get a new bench, and we are over the moon as the old one was really old.”

The bench is used by pupils who don’t have anyone to play with - they sit on the bench and know someone will come and ask them to play.

Headteacher Martyn Bream said: “The children were so excited about the new bench as their old bench was broken.

“The school is really grateful for this, as it is used during many other school activities and not just as a Buddy Bench.”

Sarah Cadwallader, general manager at Elgar Court, said: “We are all winners here.

“Not only have the children come up with perfectly suited names for our home’s three communities, but we are really looking forward to the initiatives we will be planning with our residents and school children over the next year.” 

Elgar Court is a new luxury care home opening this summer in Malvern. It will be welcoming its first residents in August.