'Grandbuddies' project aims to bridge the generation gap

Young children from the Ballerup Nursery Centre made a recent visit to Rosaburn House in South Lanarkshire, as part of a new intergenerational community project.

The ‘Grandbuddies’ initiative was designed to bring children and residents together, where they could share twenty-first century activities with those of the past.

The project was run by the East Kilbride Community Learning and Home School Partnership Team who provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for adults and families across South Lanarkshire.

A spokesperson for the team said: “An initial eight week programme was devised where the children made a weekly visit to the home. They met their new buddies, played old fashioned games such as jacks, marbles and dominoes as well as the children’s favourite activities including: parachute play, jigsaw puzzles, arts and crafts, stories and songs.

“The older generation also learned about the wonders of technology with the children introducing them to Skype on iPads.”

The project was launched after Ballerup Nursery’s head of centre, Mairead Maxwell, found extensive research which revealed the benefits of intergenerational projects. It has been suggested that introducing young children into their local community helps them to learn new skills and develop new friendships.

Ballerup Nursery Centre, which provides care and education to children aged between three months and five years, had previous links with Rosaburn House and were keen for their children to visit the residents. After completing the eight week programme, Ms Maxwell commented: "The children and staff have both benefited from this initiative. The children have been learning about play 'in the old days' and about growing old.

“We love having the Grandbuddies to visit, as well as the children taking a trip to Rosaburn House. We are now planning other ways to include our buddies into nursery life.”

Staff at Rosaburn House have also described the project as a ‘huge success,’ since it has made a positive impact on the residents and broadened the learning experiences of the children.

Jordan Simpson, manager at Rosaburn House said: "The benefits of the project were noticeable from day one, the residents loved speaking with the children and meeting with them. They always commented on how well behaved the children were and how they were keen to chat.

"Each Wednesday the nursery children would arrive and would meet the same group of ladies in the same part of the home, it was something that most people remembered and would often discuss before and after the children had left.

"Similarly, it was really interesting when the children showed the residents how to Skype, it was something they had never seen before."

Parents and grandparents were also thrilled that the children were involved in the project and reported many discussions at home about the ‘Grandbuddies’.

East Kilbride and Strathaven Community Learning and Home School Partnership Team are continuing to explore new ideas to develop the project, including knitting dolls clothes for children's role play and helping out in the allotments.

Rosaburn House is a purpose built care home in East Kilbride which specialises in care for older people and those living with dementia.