Sheffield primary pupils bridge generational gap by visiting care home residents

Mundella Primary school pupils with their Christingles made during a crafting session with residents at Norton Lees Hall and Lodge Care Home | User (UGC)

Pupils from a Sheffield primary school been visiting residents of a nearby care home to join them in regular crafting sessions.

Mundella Primary School has formed links with Norton Lees Hall and Lodge Care Home to facilitate bi-weekly visits in which six schoolchildren walk to the care home to join residents in various crafting activities.

The visits are said to be beneficial for building relationships, not only within the community but also between different generations.

Previous activities have ranged from cake decorating and crafts to Christingle making in the run-up to Christmas.

A Mundella Primary School pupil making a Christingle with an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle during a crafting session with residents at Norton Lees Hall and Lodge Care Home | User (UGC)

Headteacher Will Smith said: “The children and residents sit together, follow instructions, help each other and enjoy chattering. A resident last week said how he would pay good money to hear these kids laughter again. He was delighted when he was told we would be returning in a fortnight.

“The interaction between the residents and our children is absolutely priceless. These children need a little light relief from school life and visiting the care home is just what the doctor ordered. Such a wonderful cross-generational bridge is being built and we are looking forward to continuing this mutually beneficial liaison.”

Activities are held in the care home’s conservatory area and tables are set up with two schoolchildren and two residents each.

Paul McCormick, a member of the Norton Lees Hall and Lodge Care home wellbeing team, thanked the students for taking part in the activities so far.

Residents at Norton Lees Hall and Lodge Care Home during the cake decorating session with Mundella Primary School pupils | User (UGC)

He said: “The residents have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. This is a whole new venture for us and we have around six to 10 residents per session depending on how they feel on the day – normally as soon as they hear that children are coming they all want to get involved.

“It has been great for building bridges in the community and raises the profile of both the school and the care home.”

Speaking about the cake decorating session, Mr McCormick added: “The children shared the tables with some of our service users, and a wonderful cross generational bridge was built. Our service users were delighted to be hosting the children from the school, A great time was had by all.”

Sessions will resume in January and Norton Lees Hall and Care Home are hoping to support the school with attendance at its assemblies.