Levenmouth Academy pupils visit retirement housing residents as part of Fife Council project

Tenants at Bield’s Braehead Gardens have been enjoying weekly visits from second and third year pupils as part of Fife Council’s Community Learning and Development project, ‘Crossing the Divide’.

The project, which started on March 21, supports young people to facilitate intergenerational activities for older people in their local community. Since starting, the group have taken part in a wide range of activities, from playing bingo to making clay hedgehogs.

Tenant Jan Anderson (70) said: “It has been such a pleasure to spend time with younger people and get to know and understand what life is like for them. The project has proved really successful in narrowing the gap felt by younger and more mature people in the community. I am sure everyone here would welcome their company and enthusiasm anytime.”

Pupil Rori Fiorelli said: “It’s been fun and educational learning about their childhoods and what life was like growing up.”

The project has been facilitated by Scott Meikle, community education worker at Fife Council. Scott works closely with pupils and tenants to offer support and gather feedback about the activities, to ensure that everyone is benefiting.

He said: “It has truly been a pleasure watching these two separate generations come together and grow to become one group.”

Amy Telford, volunteer development worker at Bield, said: “Community engagement and volunteering play such an important part in helping our tenants and service users to live their lives to the full, as well as tackling loneliness and isolation. It was fantastic to see how much the group have gelled and it’s clear that the pupils have benefited as much as our tenants have.”

Bield is currently looking for volunteers in Leven. For more information please visit www.bield.co.uk or call 0131 273 4029.