THE Retired Nurses National Home (RNNH) in Bournemouth welcomed 15 children aged four and five from St Walburga’s Catholic Primary School.

It marked the first in a series of visits to the care home, run by charity Friends of the Elderly, to encourage intergenerational socialising.

The children spent the session with the care home residents making a friendship wreath by cutting out their hand prints from card. Each child was paired up with a resident, which encouraged conversation and story telling.

This is the first of a number of regular visits by the school to the care home. Each week the children and residents will partake in different activities and it is hoped friendships will be formed.

The partnership between St Walburga’s and the RNNH has been inspired by recent research and documentaries that show how encouraging friendship between older people and children has positive outcomes for both.

Alan Johnston, Manager of the Retired Nurses National Home, said: “It was fantastic to see so many smiles and hear the joyful sound of children in the home.

“Children bring with them so much enthusiasm and energy, which made our residents so happy and motivated them to get involved with the activity. We are excited to continue this relationship with St Walburga’s and look forward to welcoming the children again.”

Hannah Kassiri, Early Years Leader at St Walburga’s School, said: “We are really excited to be part of this project with the RNNH.

“As a Catholic school, reaching out to members of our local community and sharing love, compassion and joy with them is a hugely important part of our mission as a faith school.

“The children are a wonderful group of individuals who bring much happiness to those around them.

“We hope that for all involved, the project has a positive and lasting impact on their lives.”