Partnered with a local school

Glenburnie Lodge has partnered with a local school as part of a new intergenerational care initiative which brings young and old people together for mutual benefit.

And the first project saw the children working with us to bury a time capsule on the grounds.

Children from Gwenfo Church in Wales Primary School in Wenvoe visited Glenburnie Lodge recently.

We wanted to bury a time capsule as part of our opening celebrations and asked the school to take part. We asked the children to write letters and draw pictures to put in the capsule, along with digital QR codes of music concerts they had performed.

The capsule was then buried in the grounds of Glenburnie Lodge.

The children then went into the home to enjoy some cake and refreshments with the ladies and gentlemen who live at Glenburnie Lodge.

Jacqui Orrells, Managing Director of Glenburnie Lodge, said: “It was lovely to welcome the school into the home and to involve the children in this living history project.

“Our ladies and children enjoyed seeing them and it was a fantastic way to start this new intergenerational care partnership.

“Intergenerational care is something which has been very successful in Dormy Care Communities’ other homes, bringing together children and older people so they all benefit from regular interaction.

“We will continue our relationship with the school in the New Year where they will visit regularly to read, draw, sing and bake with our ladies and gentlemen.”

Intergenerational care began in Japan in 1976 but is still a relatively new phenomenon in the UK. It has been proven to have multiple benefits. It helps the language development, reading and social skills of the children and older people are less likely to suffer loneliness through regular interaction with the younger generation. It also helps stimulate memories for people with dementia.