Sports Studies students unite generations through activity day

Foundation Degree Sports Studies students used their Work Based learning unit as an opportunity to raise awareness of Dementia amongst different generations.

Students hosted an activity day for a small group of Hazelwood Nursing Home residents, along with 11 pupils from Temple Hill Primary Academy. Using activities such as boccia and volleyball to bring the children and elderly together, the students created a sense of teamwork and joy to the home. With many relatives affected by the illness themselves, the students were keen to focus on supporting Dementia sufferers in their activities.

Zoe Prestidge, Foundation Degree Sports Studies student, commented, “It has been a great experience for the children of today, as we have provided an education of Dementia in today’s society. It has opened our eyes to see the bigger picture. We would love to do it again with other schools to continue to raise awareness”.

Hazelwood currently houses 50 residents, with some having lived there for 14 years. With a wide variety of Dementia clients, they are keen to support the development of activities in the home, and are currently planning a full refurbishment to become a Dementia friendly home. The small group of residents thoroughly enjoyed the day, and were heard reminiscing about how it reminded them of their youth.

George Joseph, Registered Manager of Hazelwood Nursing Home, was extremely welcoming to the group saying, “Whenever children come in, you see how excited the residents are, even the quiet ones get involved! We should promote programmes like this more to get the community integrated. We’d definitely like to do this again in the future”.

The young pupils from Temple Hill brought light and laughter to the day, and were keen to interact with the older generation. One pupil, Brooke, spoke happily of the day saying, “I’ve enjoyed today because I’ve met people I don’t normally see. I like making people feel warm inside”.