Charity teams up with Bexton School

Age UK Cheshire East has this autumn undertaken a number of events and activities with a local School in Knutsford to raise awareness of issues impacting on older people.

As part of their Ethical Enterprise curriculum this term, pupils and teachers at Bexton Primary School in Knutsford have worked in partnership with our charity to develop awareness of the issues local older people face. In classes the children have learnt about inspirational older people, learning that age isn’t a barrier to achieving ambitions and goals. They have also learnt about Dementia through lessons and assemblies, how it affects people and how we as a community can support older people by treating them with kindness and understanding.

Mrs Sach, deputy head at Bexton Primary School said “This project has helped the children to develop a deeper understanding of the older generation and has given them the opportunity to have some very positive learning experiences.”

A highlight of the project was involving three other local primary schools in a Generation Juke Box event, where local older people were treated to a concert by Year 5 pupils. The visitors spent time talking to the children about their childhood memories. This was followed up by a visit by Year 5 classes to Lostock Lodge Care Home, where the pupils spent time chatting to the residents and playing games.

Damon Taylor, Chief Executive of Age UK Cheshire East commented “We have really enjoyed working with the School on this project and the way the children have got involved has been amazing. It has been so good to see how they have actively engaged in the many activities the school has put on to explore the issues impacting on older people. We are so grateful that the school has given us this great opportunity to raise awareness to the young people about the issues we are addressing as a local charity.”

As part of the initiative, the school raised over £750 for our charity. Each house point the children earn for their team raised 7p for the charity. The house points were funded by dress down days and other fundraising activities run by the children and staff.