Y Viva España
Lingo Flamingo lands in care home as residents lap up language lessons
EDEL KENEALY
Residents of a care home got a taste of Y Viva España with an innovative language class that aims to improve cognitive brain function.
Rutherglen Care Home hosted Spanish classes for up to ten residents who learned the language in a fun and innovative way.
The classes were led by Lingo Flamingo, a social enterprise which offers language classes to care homes because research suggests things such as concentration, communications and the ability to multi-task are improved when learning a second language.
Maureen Thomson, senior activities coordinator at Rutherglen Care Home, said: “It was very enjoyable for everyone and so much fun.
“Everyone came away feeling much more confident and a with great sense of achievement. The sessions were led by James Proctor. He is 19 and what a fantastic guy he was. He was extremely patient and caring and created a very relaxed atmosphere for everyone.”
A block of ten classes was recently delivered at Rutherglen Care Home after Lingo Flamingo received funding from the St Nicholas Pastoral Fund.
Residents who took part in the sessions are all living with dementia and are aged in their 70s and 80s.
Maureen added: “It doesn’t matter if they remember it from week to week, it is saying the words and hearing them, it stimulates more brain cells.
“One of our ladies, she was quoting Spanish that she learned at school.”
The language sessions have involved a lot more than popular phrases, instead throwing residents into Spanish culture, which has seen them enjoy Sangria, tapas and Spanish music.
It is these sensory experiences, which the people behind Lingo Flamingo say help people to retain information and boost brain function.
Tommy McGlynn, development officer at the social enterprise, said: “It’s like a holiday for an hour. The idea is to get away from the school model. It’s about making it fun and accessible.
“These classes put everyone on a level playing field. It doesn’t matter what your background is, what your disability is. It’s about making mistakes together.”
Lingo Flamingo use the profits from its Shawlands-based language school and donations from charities to provide language lessons in care homes and day centres across Scotland.
Residents are often asked what language they would like to learn, with Spanish and Italian often evoking memories of holidays to the Continent.
Tommy added: “It can be very helpful for the older generation and people with dementia, to show them you can learn something new, it’s not too late to learn about another language or culture.”