Primary school invites in elderly people to work with young pupils

Downshall primary school in Essex hosts day centre where older people, some with early dementia, can interact with children

A primary school in Essex is piloting a new project that brings elderly people suffering from isolation, depression and early dementia into the classroom to work with four- and five-year-old children, with the aim of mutually benefiting all.

Previous projects have involved children visiting care homes, but Downshall primary school in Ilford is thought to be the first to host a day centre for older people, who read books, sing songs and do puzzles with children.

We have one lady who wakes up in the morning and can’t wait to go in

Related: The generation gap is deep: here’s how we bridge it | Alex Smith

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2A95LCn