Residents at Balhousie Monkbarns have been busy building friendships with a group of local schoolchildren.
P3 pupils from Timmergreens Primary have been regular visitors to the home in recent weeks, playing games and taking part in activities.
Some of the children also read to the residents, who in turn tell the youngsters stories and teach them skills, such as playing chess.
The visits, which take place every second Friday, are hugely popular with the children and the residents.
Angela Crosby, Activities Coordinator at Balhousie Monkbarns, said: “All our residents love it when their friends from Timmergreens pay a visit. They love hearing what the children have been up to, playing games with them and telling them stories.
“The visits are so good for the residents and the children. Building intergenerational relationships benefits everyone – it helps our residents stay active and social, and they have plenty of advice and stories to pass on to the pupils.
“We are so grateful to the children and the staff from Timmergreens for coming to visit us and for putting a smile on the residents’ faces.”
Numerous studies have shown that having children around care homes helps boost residents’ confidence, increases communication and improves memory.
Seniors also make great listeners and are able to give children their full attention, which is not always possible in the classroom. They can pass on wisdom, while research shows children who regularly interact with older people have improved reading and social skills.
