Residents at a care home in Plymouth enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with a visit from youngsters from nearby St Budeaux Foundation School.
Eight pupils met up with four people who live at Freshfields as part of the Archie Project, a scheme that links local schools with people with dementia.
The ‘Life Stories’ project involves children asking residents questions about their life, including favourite holidays, fashion, and former beloved pets.
Dog lover Elizabeth Bessant, 73, relived happy memories of her cherished ‘Westie’ dogs and the companionship they provided.
She also told the girls about her favourite childhood destination, Looe in Cornwall, where she and her family used to go on trips.
“This is the third year that St Budeaux children have been coming here and our residents get so much out of it,” said Freshfields’ activities co-ordinator Paul Hutt.
“The ‘Life Stories’ project enables the individuals who live here to reminisce about days-gone-by and relive happy memories.
“Their stories really seem to strike a chord with the youngsters – there is a real connection and it really brightens up our residents’ days.”
St Budeaux head teacher Cathy Drage said the visits provided a wonderful opportunity for pupils to interact and connect with a different generation.
“Our young people get so much from their visits to Freshfields. They are always fascinated to hear residents’ stories about their younger days.
“Young and old lead increasingly segregated lives these days and coming together like this is an excellent way of raising awareness.”
The Archie Project is a project created to reduce the stigma and fear associated with the word dementia that links to local primary schools, care homes, sheltered housing schemes, businesses, and community members.
Swedish designed and purpose built, Freshfields in Agaton Road, Plymouth, is a specialist 36-bed dementia care facility overlooks the Tamar Estuary.
