A six-week pilot project aims to bridge Edinburgh’s generation gap by organising weekly meetings between Gylemuir Primary School Nursery pupils and older people from a local housing association.
Every Friday, ten, four- to five-year-old children spend the morning at Claycot Park, a sheltered housing development in Corstorphine.
They take part in activities including Lego building, bubble blowing, and colouring-in.
Each meeting begins with the children singing a welcome song.
Mrs Mary Aitchison is almost completely blind and has lived at Claycot Park for over nine years and the 88-year-old said: “It is lovely to spend this time with the children.
“Having these meet-ups is one of the highlights of my week. The children are always so happy and enthusiastic – it makes me feel young again.”
One parent, Karen Callaghan, commented: “My daughter is already looking forward to next week’s activity. I am so pleased she is enjoying her time with her older friend at Claycot Park.”
Another parent, Jade Finlayson, added: “It’s such a great thing for the kids and for the community as a whole.”
Moira McDonald, Minister of Corstorphine Old Parish, helped to arrange the meet-ups and recommended Claycot Park.
She said: “This initiative has been a resounding success and has brought the whole community together.”
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