Today, all day, during #carehomeweek17 we are celebrating #friendship. Scottish Care’s Integration & Improvement Lead Rene Rigby describes how Strachan House Care Home helps to foster inter-generational friendships by linking up with pupils from the local primary school.
“The care home itself is located between Craigcrook Castle and Blackhall Primary School in Edinburgh. It provides care and support for some eighty two residents.
“Pupils from Blackhall School are regular visitors to the home and their choir performs for the residents, who love to hear the young people singing.
“The school pupils also join with residents to participate in a ‘bridging the generation gap’ initiative, where the children write stories and then spend time with residents discussing their writings.
“This week, to celebrate the friendship between the community and those living and working at the care home, the residents and children were joined by relatives and staff and enjoyed an outdoor fair ground musical concert thanks to Dignity Charity. The music unlocked and evoked many memories. The sun was shining, the gardens were alive with the chatter of voices old and young, there was an enjoyable interlude when we all had an ice cream cone.
“The beauty of collaboration in this inter-generational event is that we combine strength with wisdom.”
Rene Rigby
