Friendships blossom as well as the flowers
Gallowhill kids love visiting Glencairn Court
Green- fingered school children have been sowing the seeds of friendship with people in their community.
Youngsters from Gallowhill Primary have become bosom Buddies with the residents of Glencairn Court flats.
The friendships blossomed after the children started visiting the residents to help out with gardening over the past year.
The grounds surrounding the front of the housing block are now looking beautiful thanks to the pupils.
With help and guidance from the residents,they have been busy planting, watering, weeding and painting.
The project has formed part of an inter-generational initiative aimed at bringing older and younger people in the community together.
Classroom teacher Laura Langford said the children have learned a lot from their time at the court.
She explained: “The kids have loved it. It’s been a hands- on learning experience. They’ve learned about different fruits, herbs and vegetables, the names of lots of new flowers and what kind of soil different plants need to grow.
“It’s also really developed their social skills and taught them about respect – respect for others, for people’s gardens and for the area.”
The youngsters have got stuck in to a range of tasks, from planting sunflowers and measuring them to see whose is the tallest, to growing pumpkins and carving them at Halloween.
Residents also organised activity sessions, playing board games and marbles, skipping and flying kites.
Sally Logan, health and wellbeing co- ordinator for ammenity housing, said it’s helped bring the community together.
She explained: “They’ve made a lovely bond. The residents buy kids snacks out their own pocket, and some of the kids who stay locally walk along to the flats at the weekend to say hi.
“A lot of the residents are older and miss having kids around, so when they visit it brings a lot of joy to the building.”
It was a bittersweet visit as the pupils headed to the flats for the last time this school term on Monday.
Next year, a different set of kids will get to visit Glencairn Court, as part of the school’s drive to engage in the community and nurture child attainment.
Resident Cora Byron said the people in the flats are looking forward to welcoming the next group of pupils.
She told: “It’s been fantastic getting to work with the kids. They are lovely children. We’re looking forward to next year’s sessions and have already started brainstorming ideas for new activities.”