Kids bringing the spirit of youth to centre for elderly
that it continue to transport pensioners to three of its day centres.
We are hoping to persuade local businesses, schools and readers to get on board and help ensure that no OAP in the city faces life alone.
To help GOPWA raise its target of £26k, visit the charity’s Justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/karen-moyes1 YOUNG children are lifting the spirits of elderly people at a day centre in Glasgow.
Once a week, three and fouryear-olds from Somerset Nursery Clairmont Gardens come into the Fred Paton Centre, in Glasgow’s West End, for about 15-20 minutes.
Staff at the centre, which is run by Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Association (GOPWA) say the visits are as beneficial to the little ones as they are to the pensioners.
Nursery staff say the atmosphere of the centre ‘lifts’ as soon as the children arrive.
They say that even watching the children playing provides a boost and a bit of distraction and pensioners have the patience to sit with the children and draw.
Elderly people, who might not live in the same city as their own grandchildren, enjoy the interaction.
The nursery approached parents after watching a Channel 4 show, which sent pre-schoolers into a retirement home in Bristol every day for six weeks.
They said it transformed their physical and mental wellbeing and gave them a new lease of life.
Over time the children also showed development in their behaviour, becoming more mature and thinking more about other people’s feelings.
Mhairi Walker, nursery manager, said: “Bringing the children in stimulates both the children and the elderly. “We see their faces light up. “It was quite quiet when we came in, but there seems to be a buzz when we are here.
“It’s very good in cities. They might not get to see their grandchildren much.
“For some, their grandchildren are not in Glasgow.
“The parents are really happy about it.
“There was a programme on Channel 4 about children and elderly and there has been a lot of research about it.
“I gave the parents the re- search and they were really keen. We’ve started making relationships with the people here now.”
It follows studies which show that mixing four-year-olds with pensioners can have huge benefits for both groups.
In the US, nurseries have existed in old people’s homes for more than 25 years.
When the children arrive, Isobel Urquhart, 80, is immediately on her feet playing catch and later, sits down for some colouring in.
Isobel, who used to volunteer at a Sunday school, is on her feet as soon the children arrive, joining in with Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes.
She said: “I love the wee ones. They are such pets. I come here every day. It gives you something definite to do that day.
“You are not just in all day when the day is as long as a week.”
Betty Colqhoun, 68, said: “I’ve got a three-year-old grandson. You can take part with the children, and watch them play games.
“I love drawing and I enjoy calendar making.”
Annette Hooton, a volunteer at the centre, said: “When they first arrived, some of the service users weren’t so keen.
“The children were running around and one of them asked us when they were leaving.
“However, others were right in there. You can see their faces light up.”