Washington care home staff to perform Cinderella with a twist in DIY pantomime to lift spirits after tough year

Staff at Washington Manor Care Home, which is operated by St Martins, decided to host their own version of the classic fairy tale after being forced to cancel their usual Christmas plans due to coronavirus restrictions.

The performance, ‘Cinderella in the Manor,’ will feature all of the St Martins staff, with a special twist seeing Cinderella working as a domestic in a care home.

Manager Wendy Mcintyre is hoping the show will provide a little bit of fun to lift spirits at the end of what has been a difficult year for both staff and residents.

She said: “It’s just a little bit of fun after such a difficult year for everyone. We would normally be inviting all the families of residents in for some sing-a-longs or festive activities but we can’t so we wanted to do something fun for both residents and staff.

“Things like this are massive for residents' wellbeing. Not being able to see their families has had a massive impact on a lot of people. Everyone is fed up of covid and we want to lift spirits.”

St Martins Washington Manor Care home currently houses 52 residents and provides residential, dementia and respite care for elderly residents.

Staff at the care home are appealing for donations of costumes for the performance and anyone who may be able to help should contact Wendy McIntyre on 0191 467 0015.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.