Link-up benefitting elderly, Carronshore Primary and Larbert High pupils

The intergenerational link-up between Carronshore Primary School, Larbert High School and Carrondale Care Home has proved to be highly beneficial for all parties involved, as children and residents alike enjoy energetic sessions filled with singing, dancing and instrument-playing.

Those who oversee the weekly gatherings at the Carron facility say the faces of all in attendance light up when the different generations begin interacting with one another.

The concept was thought up by Greg Nicol, head of sport at Tryst Community Sports Club at Larbert High, as a means of encouraging exercise among pupils and those who aren’t able to get out and about.

Greg said: “I started it in November 2018 targeting those who are inactive in the community to get them to become more active.

“From my perspective, it improves their leadership and communication skills and their ability to think on their feet.

“They are in weekly and during the holidays as we run a holiday camp programme and have the kids going into the homes.

“I’d like to thank all the pupils for getting involved and working with the elderly members of the community.”

Pupils at Carronshore Primary began taking part in the gatherings after the school’s enhanced provision teacher, Judith Stirling, became aware of the Larbert High project. Eager to offer both her and the children’s support, she contacted Greg and Carrondale residents have since struck up friendships with several of the school’s pupils.

Judith explained: “The kids have been doing a project called When My Granny Was Young.

“I learned about it from following Greg on Twitter and thought I would like to get involved. The kids really benefit from the social side of things and their language skills benefit too.”

One example of pupils reaping the rewards of the partnership has seen resident Bill McChlery (94) share his experiences of growing up during the Second World War with P7 pupils who are studying the war as a history topic. Bill, inset, even wrote a short story detailing his own evacuation which he has been discussing with youngsters.

Judith added: “The kids have learnt so much.

“In my 30 years of teaching it has definitely been a highlight.”

Caroline Stein, Carronshore Primary principal teacher, added: “It’s so valuable for the children to be hearing about their war topic first-hand from a source who has been there.

“It’s a really valuable link and you see the impact on the residents and the children. It’s something we will be investing more time in to give more chances for other pupils to be involved.”

Fiona Downie, Carrondale activities coordinator, said: “Myself and our manager, Tracy Gallacher, would like to thank the schools for invoking a new lease of life in our residents.”