PIONEERING

BRANDISHING a toy dinosaur, three-year-old Emmie Hannigan throws back her head and roars.

RAF veteran Iain Wheelton, 84, clutching a stegosaurus, roars back and Emmie, squealing with delight, throws herself into his arms.

They could be mistaken for grandad and grandchild.

But Emmie and Ian are in fact “grand-friends” at Belong Chester, a pioneering integrated care home and nursery where the generational mix helps old and young.

Children’s speech, confidence and general knowledge is boosted by time with their grand-friends.

For the older people – who live in self-contained or shared apartments in the building, many having varying degrees of dementia – the children’s zest for life helps them keep a sense of self and purpose.

Belong Chester opened in July 2022 and has a months-long waiting list of people desperate to join the “family” of 60 children and 75 adults. It is the UK’S first such site and the subject of nine university studies on everything from dementia to child development.

It is the brainchild of nursery owner Liz Ludden and teacherturned civil servant Sue Egersdorff, who partnered with Belong after working with the care home chain for years on research. Liz says: “We’re always told, ‘What you’re doing is so lovely’. But it’s life-changing. Everybody needs a sense of purpose and to feel appreciated – regardless of age.

“Lots of the kids don’t live near grandparents. The older people often arrive in the saddest situations. Here, they have a chance to be part of a real family again.”

Northumbria University’s Dr Kay Heslop calls it “an incredible concept”, adding: “Not only do old and young help deliver new knowledge to each other but the relationships are key to older people ‘re-learning’ – being reminded of something they used to do or know. It is clear to see the joy on the faces of old and young.”

When we visit, the bond between old and young is clear. A boy runs to greet his older pal with a fist bump. Ralph Barnes, 68, is holding court with youngsters who have a load of bright feathers. When their backs are turned,

Mike & daughter Emmie