Budding young gardeners are bringing a splash of sunshine to the gardens of a leading housing provider aimed at enhancing later life.
Residents at Humber View, a Pickering and Ferens Homes sheltered scheme, will be visited by a group of ten students from Victoria Dock Primary School to plant sunflowers and help spruce up their gardens ready for summer.
The partnership is yet another initiative thought up by the housing association to improve health and wellbeing in residents through bridging the generation gap and encouraging social interaction.
“Older adults and young people can learn from each other in the most stimulating ways,” says Paula Kelly, resident services director at Pickering and Ferens Homes.
“We know that loneliness and isolation can greatly affect our residents and this is yet another example of Pickering and Ferens Homes’ commitment to tackling an issue that is thought to affect 80% of over-55s in some parts of the UK.
“We have seen enormous success with these types of partnerships in the past, in particular gardening projects which are firm favourites among our residents, as it encourages them to not only interact with other people within the community, but different generations too.
“I know the students have really enjoyed visiting our residents in the past and we are keen to work with them on many more projects going forward.”
There will be a competition between residents and the children to see who can grow the tallest sunflower.
The students will return to Humber View in September for an awards ceremony, where prizes will be given for the tallest sunflower, the biggest face and the strangest looking to name but a few categories.
Claire Juggins, deputy head at Victoria Dock Primary School, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for seniors to be involved with our youth, enjoying an active afternoon of friendly competition and fun.
“Our pupils love visiting the residents at Christmas for the carol service and they are really looking forward to rolling their sleeves up and getting stuck in to the gardening project.”