Eco & Environment, Education, Ferndown | Posted on March 31st, 2025 | return to news
Dorset care home residents work with local schoolchildren
Working on environmental projects, residents at care homes in Broadstone and Ferndown met up with children from Parley and Broadstone.
Residents at care homes in Broadstone and Ferndown have worked with local schoolchildren in a day of craft activities.
People living at Care UK’s Ferndown Manor, on Golf Links Road, visited children at Parley First School as they took part in Generations of Change, an intergenerational initiative to unite older and younger people in a shared mission of environmental stewardship.
The new Care UK Generations of Change programme aims to harness the wisdom of older members of society and the fresh perspectives of children during hands-on activities linked to biodiversity, climate change and sustainable gardening, creating opportunities for a fulfilling knowledge exchange that will benefit the planet.
Ferndown Manor residents worked with the youngsters to construct the story of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ using recyclable materials that would normally otherwise have been thrown away.
The children and residents worked side by side to craft a colourful caterpillar and all the fruit it munches throughout the story using cardboard egg boxes.
Lesley Pond, 81, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the children, they are a joy and had some wonderful ideas about our environment and shared what they are already doing to protect the future.
“It is always a pleasure to be around the younger generation; their enthusiasm is infectious and gives me hope.”
Meanwhile, at The Potteries in Broadstone, children from Canford Heath Junior School joined together with residents to create different animals using recyclable materials.
They worked side by side to craft their own puffins, turtles and sharks using plastic bottles, paper plates and egg boxes.
Sheila La Riviere, 89, said: “I had a lovely morning with the children, and to be able to express and share our creative sides together was wonderful.
“It’s important to educate the younger generation about the environment and how we can all help to make it better.”
Aligned with school curriculums, this was the first of many Generations of Change projects planned at Ferndown Manor and The Potteries.
Care UK has also created downloadable packs with resources for teachers and groups, including fun, interactive activities to help facilitate intergenerational lessons, with the educational packs covering topics from biodiversity to food sustainability, climate change and recycling.
Sara Muslin, home manager at Ferndown Manor, said: “It was amazing to see the children and residents working together in this incredible project. Their enthusiasm to work together to do their bit for the planet was infectious and inspiring.”
Zita Turner, home manager at The Potteries, said: “The Generations of Change initiative allows residents and children to learn from one another and share knowledge – it was great seeing it come to life. Their wonderful animal creations will hopefully brighten up the school for many months to come.
“A huge thank you to Canford Heath Junior School for joining us and we hope to work together again soon for the benefit of our planet.”
For more information about Care UK’s Generations of Change, and to download the free resources, visit www.careuk.com/generations-of-change.
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