Downham
News

Downham Market Care Home Stays Young At Heart With Primary School Visits

DownhamDiamond House care home is enjoying intergenerational visits from local primary school children.

Students from Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market have visited residents at the Bennett Street care home, twice every month for the past two months

The visits provide positive interaction between the two generations and were inspired by Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). CST can improve memory and thinking skills through social interaction and engaging activities.

Residents and children take part in activities and puzzles during the visits, in addition to seasonal arts and crafts. At the most recent get together, the group created Christmas decorations.

Natalie Wright Home Manager at Diamond House Care said: “It’s quite common for primary school children to have the odd visit to a care home but we think that our arrangement with Hillcrest Primary School is quite special.

“CST has been proven to stimulate the mind but more importantly, the visits provide our residents with genuine enjoyment. The residents have built up relationships with the children and everyone looks forward to the sessions.”

Matthew Try, Headteacher at Hillcrest Primary School, said: “It is important that the primary school experience is about more than solely the teaching of English and Maths or the study of the broad range of curriculum areas that we have to cover with the children.

“By working in partnership with organisations in the community such as Diamond House, we provide the pupils with an invaluable opportunity to play an important role in the wellbeing of others which helps to develop the social, emotional and personal skills of the children, therefore supporting the whole child. We look forward to continuing to grow and develop the relationship between Hillcrest and Diamond House over the coming months and years.”

 

 
CHSA
 

 

 

 
Wippet24
 

 

 

 
AccessGroup
 

 

 

CareShowLondon
 

 

 

Intracare
 

 

 

carebeans
 

 

 

Advanced