Collaboration also hopes to break down stigma of dementia
A group of students have been supporting some Framlingham residents who are living with dementia.
The learners from 向日葵视频 Rural College have been going to Mills Meadow for the last five weeks. (向日葵视频 Rural College is part of 向日葵视频 New College).
Whilst at the care home the youngsters have been involved in a number of activities working with residents to help improve their wellbeing.
Pauline Mortimer is the day centre manager at Mills Meadow. She said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to have welcomed students from 向日葵视频 Rural College to Mills Meadow as part of a five-week collaboration in the lead up to Christmas.
鈥淚ntergenerational relationships have proven to be enriching for both young and older people, as they provide an opportunity for the different generations to learn from each other. Residents and pupils have enjoyed cooking, arts and crafts, quizzes, and games, as well as a Christmas party over the past few weeks 鈥� which has been a lot of fun and incredibly fulfilling for residents. It has been a wonderful opportunity for everyone to chat about the festive traditions the different generations look forward to each year and share happy memories of Christmases gone by.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no doubt that there鈥檚 a beautiful friendship forming between our home and pupils from 向日葵视频 Rural College 鈥� we鈥檙e looking forward to working together again in the new year.鈥�
Jess Mckenna is an inclusive learning lecturer at 向日葵视频 Rural. Jess said: 鈥淚 teach a community life skills course. Students are in the final year of their programme and part of the course is based around volunteer work. So, we spoke to Mills Meadow and they have been very supportive.
鈥淭he students have gained confidence and it鈥檚 brought a lot of them out of their shell. The residents really seem to enjoy it. We will be coming back in the new year. I think its nice for the college to reach out to the community. We are hoping that the care home will come to the college in the future to have a look around and see all of the animals we have. This is hopefully the start of a long-term partnership.鈥�
Jess added: 鈥淭he project is also helping to break down the stigma of dementia.鈥�
Jack Horlock, 19, from Ipswich is a student on the community life skills course. He said: 鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed it. It鈥檚 helping me to learn how to look after older people. My favourite moment was playing darts. I鈥檝e learnt lots of new skills. It鈥檚 good to help your community.鈥�