Coleraine Care Home – How Dedicated Pupils And Care Home Residents Are Crossing Generation Divide

Bohill House care home in Coleraine is bridging the generation gap by inviting students from nearby Dunluce School to join in their activities.

Fourteen students, under the supervision of two staff members, visit for an hour each week.

The aim is to promote and enhance the lives of the residents as well as give students an opportunity to develop their skills within a caring environment.

Tracy Henry, manager at Bohill House, said:  “It is heart-warming to see the young people and our residents working together and interacting with each other.

“Forging relationships with organisations in the community contributes to the quality of life residents enjoy at Bohill. This scheme helps bridge the generation gap by enabling the students to mix with older people and learn a little about caring for older people and treating them with respect and dignity.”

Following each visit, students are given learning ‘tasks’ and, at the end of the six week programme, awards will be presented to outstanding students.

This will further enhance their career development and their CVs.  The initiative is supported by the Prince’s Trust.

One of the first projects the students and residents worked on together was making a scarecrow for the home’s Harvest festival celebrations.

Bohill House is a modern, purpose built nursing home in Coleraine for up to 80 older people. It supports those with physical needs who require assistance and care.