Partnership helps OAPs and children

The youngsters at Anna-Ca-Soo Day Nursery in Eastfield Road have started to make regular visits to the Lavender House Care Home to meet residents and take part in activities,

The children also join the residents on a regular ‘dementia walk’ in the nearby park.

Manager of the nursery Louisa Aschettino said they had been inspired by seeing a TV show where children worked with care home residents.

She said: “We have explained to the children that the residents live at Lavender House, that they are quite old, and need help to look after themselves, just like their mummy and daddy help them.

“The children have made us incredibly proud, they are always polite and say ‘hello’. Some engage in more conversation, telling the residents what they like to play with, and about themselves. Others can be quiet, however with time, we are sure they will become more accustomed to meeting them.

“We can tell that some residents just enjoy watching the children play around them, at times they seem mesmerised by watching the children, I wonder if it takes them back in time to watching their children or grandchildren.”

Last week the Peterborough Telegraph reported Hampton Day Nursery pupils visited Clayburn Court Care Home to take part in arts and crafts activities, and other nurseries and care homes have also been taking part in similar schemes.

Lavender House manager Amar Marjara said: “It has been absolutely fantastic. The residents really loved the last visit .

“We are hoping it will be part of our routine now.

“It is a great thing for youngsters to get comfortable in the company of elderly residents.

“The dementia walks are also fantastic, so they will learn about the disease at a young age. We are also hoping parents will get involved and participate as well and raise awareness of dementia.”

There are already plans for the next visit, and Louisa said: “Our next visit is arranged for Christmas where Lavender House Care home has invited us to watch their annual Christmas Panto with the residents. We are really looking forward to this.

“Seeing the beaming smiles on the residents’ faces assures me that we made a great decision in arranging this partnership.

“The staff at Lavender House Care Home explained to us that many residents receive very few, or no visitors so these visits mean the world to them.”