Over the past 4 weeks, Mr Shaw has arranged for 6W to visit Foxton Court Residential Care Home in Morpeth. The home is for residents with a variety of needs with their primary specialism being dementia.

Recent media and research has identified how elderly people can show significant signs of health improvements when they spend a period of time with young children. Interacting with people of a different generation can be very valuable to both parties. The children benefit from the praise and feedback they receive from the care home residents, and the residents themselves, who could be lonely and socially isolated, enjoy the interaction with the children.

So far the pupils have been a credit to themselves and the school, fully embracing in the event which takes place every Friday afternoon. The pupils have so far met various residents, played games, told stories and last week we were asked to help decorate all the christmas trees for the home – of which there were many!

Everytime we leave the pupils talk about their afternoons and have a genuine enthusiasm in what they have discussed and achieved. They are always very excited for their next visit and some of the class certainly have their favourite residents, who they have already built positive friendships with.

The initiative has also been very well supported by parents with one taking the time to say;

‘I think the children attending Foxton Care Home is a wonderful idea and I would like to congratulate Chantry for considering the visits and what outcomes/differences this will achieve for the older people. As a Service Manager for Adult and Older People’s Services for Newcastle City Council, I know what a difference this will make to the residents’ day. They will talk about it long after the children have left and although they have support 24 hours a day it doesn’t mean some of them don’t still feel lonely and isolated, so I’m sure this will be well received by all the residents and their families. I hope some schools in Newcastle follow suit, if they haven’t done so already!’

Mr Shaw is hoping to continue this invaluable community partnership throughout this academic year.