Edinburgh care home ignites intergeneration with school visit

Relationships built at ‘Fun Day’ as home hosts students from Fettes College

A partnership between one of Edinburgh’s most up-market care homes and a prestigious local school sees residents and students uniting for a fun day of intergenerational interaction.

14 students, aged 16-17, from Fettes College visited Cramond Residence as volunteers, where they were able to form connections with the residents across various activities taking place on each floor of the home, including arts and crafts, nail painting and gentle exercise classes.

The event was organised as an opportunity for the school and care home to come together and build relationships that are beneficial for both residents and students.

Craigleith House Coordinator at Fettes College, Eileen Crawford, said: “The fun day was a huge success and we would like to thank Cramond Residence for giving the students a very enjoyable trip and a new learning experience – it was lovely to see bonds formed.

“At Fettes, we want to instil the importance of our students engaging with the community in a positive way and this fun day was the perfect opportunity. The students had a great time and many of them have expressed their desire in making a trip to Cramond a monthly activity.

“There is so much that the younger generation can learn from the older – their world experience is invaluable to our young people taking the first steps in their own lives.

“This event marked the start of a new partnership between Fettes and Cramond, and some students will continue volunteering at the home for their Duke of Edinburgh awards.”

Cramond Residence prides itself on the vast array of exciting activities that its residents can take part in and enjoy, with the Fettes College Fun Day being one of the latest additions to the home’s bustling monthly program.

Designed to promote independent living and socialisation, the fun day saw residents at the home exchanging vibrant life stories with the students while basking outside in the sun, or indulging in a spot of pampering, painting and games.

Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence, Christian Daraio, said: “It was an incredible day for everyone involved and the students put a huge smile on the residents’ faces.

“Connecting with the wider community helps eliminate the feelings of isolation that are common in the older generation.

“These events are important for fostering intergenerational engagement that play such a big role in the positive mental health of our residents. We are looking forward to welcoming the students back for more volunteering at the home.”

Cramond Residence, launched in 2018, has provided small-group living for up to 74 residents in nine luxuriously-appointed accommodation with the highest quality of care.

The highly-trained team organises exciting activities and excursions for their residents and offer specialised and individually tailored care in respite, recuperation and dementia care provision.

The care and support provided is based on a detailed personal care plan, which is continually assessed and revised by health care professionals and other experts to ensure that the best possible care is being delivered.

The luxury home will continue to channel its efforts into improving the quality of life for its residents by introducing more innovative workshops and ideas.

To find out more about Cramond Residence, call 0131 341 4037 or visit:

https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Just magic – Glow in the Park participants are record breakers!

Royal Blind are world record holders! Participants in Saturday’s ‘Glow in the Park’ event at Fettes helped the charity become world record holder of the Largest Magic Lesson in the World, with 1063 people successfully taking part. Magic!

A spokesperson for Royal Blind explained: “‘Glow in the park’ is our annual children’s event that launches Light Relief Week. It is a magical sponsored walk for the children to take part in whilst fundraising for Royal Blind.

“This year’s theme was ‘Magic & Illusion’ and there was some amazing fancy dress on display! We attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Magic Lesson” – the record was held by China and was 435 but thank you to all the people that adhered to the strict rules set out by the Guinness World Record and helped us successfully pass and take the New World Record with 1,063!!

“We saw the grounds of Fettes College transformed into a beautifully lit and enchanted walk and magic and illusion activities for the children around every corner, with a lot of the children especially enjoying the bunny rabbit at the top of the climbing wall!!! Images will be uploaded soon from this year’s event, however you can still view more images from our 2011 event click here . Thank you to all the companies that helped make Glow in the Park 2012 happen, and an extended thank you goes to Fettes College and Blacklight.”