A group of military children, who all have parents serving in the UK Armed Forces, were invited to the Royal Hospital Chelsea to take part in an intergenerational Christmas storytelling event with the Chelsea Pensioners.
Organised in collaboration with the military children’s charity, Little Troopers, the event was hosted by award-winning storyteller, Anna Conomos. Through an interactive workshop, the children and pensioners were encouraged to exchange Christmas stories and memories before dramatising them in a special performance.
Many of the military children attending the event have parents deployed overseas on military operations this Christmas.
Louise Fetigan, founder of the charity, Little Troopers, adds: “Christmas is a really hard time of year for military children to be separated from their parents, which is why our charity has an annual campaign called ‘Christmas Smiles’, packed with activities and events to help these children feel supported, recognised and celebrated at this time of year. It’s been really special to involve the Royal Hospital in our Christmas Smiles calendar this year and to watch the children and Pensioners learn more about each other’s lived experiences.”
The event was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Royal Hospital’s Soane Stable Yard Project, to open up the heritage of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Marina Spiteri, Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at the Royal Hospital Chelsea said: “Here at the Royal Hospital, we offer community to British Army veterans – something particularly important around Christmas when many older people experience loneliness.
“It’s been wonderful to open our arms to the Little Troopers and extend our community to another generation in the military family. It was magical to see the Chelsea Pensioners and Little Troopers exchange festive memories and get to know one another throughout the day. The children openly shared their joy and excitement but also spoke about spending Christmas separated from parents. The Chelsea Pensioners loved showing the children their home and shared some of the fantastic festive traditions we have here.”
