Friendships that have bridged between generations have been formed at an arts project in Bolton.
Over the last six weeks, Year Two pupils from Claypool Primary School and elderly people with dementia have been meeting at The Brazley Centre, collaborating on an art project and making new friends.
The project, called Joining Generations, is led by Bolton Cares, which offers a range of care and support for older people, people with learning disabilities, people with autism and people with mental health needs.
The Brazley Centre offers day care for people aged 60 and over who find it difficult to manage in their own homes, providing care while allowing them to stay in their own communities.
Stella Truman, centre manager at Brazley for Bolton Cares, said: "We've started this project called Joining Generations, it's joining old and young together to have a talk and sit down, encouraging the health benefits of it.
"You see lots of change with people because they are connecting with somebody younger.
"Within it, we have had a project called Colourful Collaboration, the children called it that because that's something they felt.
"They walked and talked, collecting bits together to produce some artwork." She continued: "It's amazing what you see when you bring this together, the chatting and the connection has been wonderful.
"The best thing they did is portraits of each other, they found it so funny."
Pupils from the school told The Bolton News of their favourite parts of the program.
Freya Wright said: "I'm enjoying working with Joan."
She also enjoyed helping to colour in art with pens and pencils.
Emily Entwistle said her favourite part was 'Doing little puppet animals'.
Arian Ketr's favourite part was also the animals, while Luca Brandwood and Martha Hill's favourite parts were 'everything'.
Eric Stuchbury spoke of his experiences with the children, having given them talks on birds and nature.
Mr Stuchbury said: "I've been talking about birds. We have been collecting twigs off trees and branches.
"It's been interesting, doing lots of different things."
He added that the children "enjoyed" the talks he has given.
Robert Worthington added that the experience had been "very good".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel