Hastings High School pupils help care home residents with special music project

Tuesday, 30 May 2023 16:16

"Being in a home can get quite lonely and now they have more friends that they can talk to.”

A project in Burbage involving school children and residents of a care home has brought two different parts of the local community together.

Students work in pairs with one resident for the whole project to build a strong, lasting relationship and the carehome staff say there has been a positive impact on the care home residents.

Residents and students also worked on a ‘playlist for life,’ which is a nationwide project that helps create a meaningful music playlist to help people living with dementia.

Charlotte Mantle from Adept Care Homes, said: “The project has been a welcome addition to the varied lifestyle and wellbeing program at Moat House, we are always keen to encourage intergenerational projects and it has been thoroughly enjoyed by the residents. It’s a great idea and we hope this will be the beginning of a lasting relationship with Hastings High School.”

Eight care home residents from Moat House Care Home and two local residents were chosen for the new trial project.

20 students were selected by Hastings High School and all received training from local organisation Musical Memory Box before the project began.

Keira, a student taking part at Hastings High School, said: “It’s really nice to hear about all of the things they’ve done and nice to know that they (the residents) have more friends. Being in a home can get quite lonely and now they have more friends that they can talk to.”

The Local Area Coordinator will now work with the care home, school and participants to assess the trial scheme to explore opportunities for the programme to continue in Burbage and other areas of Leicestershire.