A care home team in Nottinghamshire has been taking turns to play the role of ‘elf on the shelf’, causing chaos around the home each day.

The team at Bowbridge Court residential and dementia care home in Newark on Trent have decided to ramp up the traditional toy ‘elf of the shelf’ and create a real-life version by taking turns to dress up and cause a few minutes of mischief each day to entertain residents.

The home began their naughty antics on the 1st December and will continue until the 24th as part of their build-up to Christmas.

The ‘elf on the shelf’ custom was welcomed by residents who found it to be comical, and after a successful first few days, residents began asking to join in with the dressing up and elf pranks.

Barbara Ross, resident at Bowbridge Court since 2014, said: “I hadn’t heard of the ‘elf on the shelf’ before but I have really enjoyed watching what they get up to each day. I told the team I wanted to join in and sure enough I found myself with two cheeky elves having a snooze on my bed! It’s great fun!”

Another resident, Georgina Bedwell, said: “I think that laughter keeps you young so I was the first to get dressed up as an elf and have my picture taken!”

The elves have been caught playing in the laundry room, tangled in fairy lights, wrapping the entire contents of the care managers desk in Christmas wrapping paper and making snow angels out of flour on the reception floor.

Home manager, Gaynor Smart-McCann, said: “This has been a really fantastic activity at the home, I was so pleased to see residents joining in and being silly with us! We have lots of ideas for the next few weeks so we can’t wait to share those! Everyone looks forward to seeing what the elves have got up to each day, and I am sure the antics will be a real talking point for a long time!”

The elves antics can be followed every day on the homes Facebook page, where they also welcome suggestions for what the elves can do next.

Bowbridge Court, operated by Ideal Carehomes, offers 24-hour residential and dementia care for residents. Boasting spacious lounges and a hair salon, residents enjoy a full programme of health, leisure and wellbeing activities managed by dedicated activity co-ordinators.

www.idealcarehomes.co.uk