How a care home and nursery are breaking barriers between generations

A care home in Dundee is “so proud” to have won an award for its work breaking the barriers between generations.

Menzieshill House has won the Confronting Age Discrimination and Stereotypes award from charity Generations Working Together for its activity programme with the local nursery.

For the last seven years, the care home has been welcoming pupils to meet the residents so they can paint, sing and exchange stories.

Now, Wednesdays have become the highlight of the week for the older members of the group, with many saying it’s “marvellous” and “reminds them of when they were young.”

Michael Murphy is the activities co-ordinator at Menzieshill House.

Elderly residents have praised the 'marvellous' training programme — Elderly residents have praised the ‘marvellous’ training programme

He said: “They’ve got something to look forward to every Wednesday. You’ve got residents saying ‘please make sure I’m up out of my bed – I don’t want to miss the children because they’re my young friends.’

“We’ve had one resident who has never had a family before and the difference in her has been amazing. It’ll bring a tear to your eye.

“Even for the whole staff it’s lifted their spirits and it’s something everyone looks forward to.”

The visits and activities don’t just help the older adults with their memory, physical and mental health, it’s also been benefitting the nursery pupils.

Wendy Anderson is the senior practitioner at Menzieshill Nursery.

She says the bonds and friendships the children and older adults make is special to watch.

She said: “It becomes a magical place.

“We have some children who have very little verbal skills or English is their second language. Some of them are just very shy and we’ve seen those children grow.”