Downshall School Project

Thursday 14th December was a big day for Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, because it was the official launch of the intergenerational project we have supported at Downshall Primary School.  Older people go into the school three mornings a week, joining the Reception classes, helping and talking with the children, for most of whom English is a second language.  The older people help them with art and craft, number work and stories.  Several of the older people who are involved have dementia; others are very isolated.  Age UKRBH has 9 volunteers who support the older people in their interaction with the children.

 The BBC ran the story all day and there was a brief clip on Sky news. The Times newspaper featured it, as did local papers.  At the launch, the mayor, with MP Mike Gapes and a number of local supporters from NELFT, LB Redbridge, Wanstead and Woodford Lions, as well as from Age UKRBH, were entertained by the children singing action songs, supported by the older people and Age UKRBH volunteers.  The headteacher, Ian Bennett, thanked everyone for their involvement and the mayor, Cllr Huggett, emphasised the importance of communities working together in this way.

The project will run for a year and, if successful, it is hoped it will continue long into the future.  In our picture, the children and older people are lining up to give their performance.

Click on the link below to see the article in the Ilford Recorder.