A Royal Response Brings Joy to Residents at Old Shenfield Place Care Home
Residents at Old Shenfield Place Care Home in Brentwood are celebrating after receiving a special acknowledgement from Buckingham Palace, following the creation of a beautiful birthday card for His Majesty King Charles III.
Sending a birthday card to the King has become one of the home’s most treasured annual traditions. Every year, residents eagerly come together to design and create a unique card, taking great pride in sending their warm wishes to His Majesty.
This year’s project was made even more special thanks to a wonderful collaboration with students from Brentwood School, who visited the home in June 2026 to help residents create the birthday card. The intergenerational activity brought together young and old through creativity, conversation and friendship, creating lasting memories for everyone involved.
A special mention goes to Julie, Lifestyle Activities Lead at Old Shenfield Place, whose passion and dedication made the project possible.
The time, care and enthusiasm invested by both the residents and students was reflected in every detail of the beautifully crafted card. Watching different generations work side by side was a special reminder of the importance of community, connection and shared experiences.
One resident proudly said:
“It was such a lovely idea to be part of. We were all so excited to make a birthday card for His Majesty, and doing it with the Brentwood School children made it even more special. We had such a wonderful time together, and it’s something I’ll always remember.”
That excitement turned into pure delight when a reply arrived from Buckingham Palace. Receiving recognition from the Royal Household for the second time within a year was a really special moment for everyone at Old Shenfield Place.
The letter brought enormous pride and happiness to residents, who were deeply touched that their efforts had been acknowledged.
For many, it wasn’t simply about receiving a response, it was knowing that their creativity, kindness and thoughtfulness had been recognised.
Cristina Duran, Home Manager at Old Shenfield Place Care Home said:
“This project was about so much more than making a birthday card. It brought generations together, encouraged creativity, sparked wonderful conversations and created memories that our residents will treasure. Receiving a response from Buckingham Palace was the icing on the cake and has brought so much joy throughout the home. We are incredibly proud of our residents, grateful to Brentwood School for their support, and thankful to Julie for making such a meaningful experience possible.”
The partnership between Old Shenfield Place and Brentwood School continues to flourish through regular visits for music, arts and games sessions, helping to build meaningful relationships between residents and local young people. The home is already looking forward to welcoming the students back after the summer holidays for many more shared activities.
Moments like these highlight the power of kindness, community spirit and intergenerational friendships, proving that even the simplest gestures can create lifelong memories.
