Community link up
Date of news/blog: 5th September 2023
A community link up that brings different generations together has provided insight and interest for young and old alike.
As part of a civic award being undertaken by children from Liphook Junior School, year 6 pupils aged 10 and 11 have been making regular visits to our ladies and gentlemen at Bramshott Grange.
And the school reciprocated the favour by inviting the residents to take a trip down memory lane and visit their school.
Teacher Kirsty Clarke said both groups have benefitted from this ‘intergenerational’ experience.
“I think it has helped the children realise that older people weren’t always old – they were children just like them once. They can discuss the differences between then and now and also what they have in common,” she said.
“The children were fascinated by the life stories, one resident used to be a nanny to the Royal family, another was a pilot. All the different countries the older generation had travelled to was also interesting, Canada, Australia, and all over Europe.”
The youngsters exchanged letters with the residents and also made several visits to Bramshott Grange, which is owned by luxury care group Dormy Care Communities. As well as exchanging life stories they joined the ladies and gentlemen for lunch and played board games.
Meanwhile the residents enjoyed visiting the school to join in with their celebration of Canada Day and to watch the pupils perform a play.
From the school’s perspective the link up is one of a number of community components of the civic award which also includes the older pupils leading play sessions with infants, litter picking and helping out at a foodbank.
And for Bramshott the link-up is one of a wide range of stimulating activities on offer to residents, with such inter-generational experiences proven to have multiple benefits including boosting mental well-being, combatting loneliness and memory stimulation.
Annabelle Groves, Activity Coordinator at Bramshott Grange, says: “Our ladies and gentlemen really look forward to the children visiting and taking part in activities and chatting with them.
“It has had a very positive effect and we are looking forward to welcoming the children back when term starts again in September.”
