Across generations
SCHOOLCHILDREN have been spending time with older people in Loughborough to hear their memories of yesteryear in a joint project as part of the school curriculum.
Pupils from Robert Bakewell Primary School in Loughborough have been visiting residents at Hanover Court in the town as part of their school studies.
Alison Barker, estate manager at Hanover Court, said the link project allowed children and older people to share their ‘school days’ likes and dislikes, games, school diners, and what school and home was like. As part of the project, children and older people act as penpals to each other.
She said: “It is so positive that schools have this now in the curriculum, and the residents are thoroughly enjoying it as it has reopened memories of what they did, and are interested to know what children play today in the playground as are the old favourites still going?”
Pupils from the school have visited the retirement complex to meet the residents and chat.
They included Peggy, who is 99 this year, who the children loved to meet.
Alison said: “Residents have absolutely thoroughly enjoyed it. It has put a real sense of enthusiasm and enjoyment in themselves.
“I think a lot of people misunderstand older people a bit, in that they are just human beings who have more experience than us.”
Jo Thomas, the lead teacher on the project, said the children were amazed in facts like they had to ‘dip’ an ink pen in an inkwell, and there used to be no computers, TV, radio or in some cases, no electric.
And subjects like semolina and prunes for school dinner servings proved a surprise for youngsters, plus all the traditional playground games they used to enjoy - some of which are not allowed in schools today.