North Edinburgh Dementia Care and Craigentinny Primary School saw children with autism interact with day centre visitors
A charity has been recognised for forging a successful partnership with school children.
An intergenerational project between North Edinburgh Dementia Care and Craigentinny Primary School has won the Patrick Brooks Award for Best Working Partnership at this year’s Age Scotland Awards.
The presentation of the award took place this week (Monday 9 November) during the national charity for older people’s online awards ceremony, with representatives from both NEDC and Craigentinny Primary school accepting the award on behalf of members and pupils involved in the project.
The Patrick Brooks award recognises partnership working between two or more groups or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to addressing the needs of older people.
This year’s winning project was established last June, when NEDC invited a group of pupils from Craigentinny Primary School along to their day centre. The pupils, all of whom have an autism diagnosis, visited every Thursday to interact and join members in a wide-ranging programme of events. Focusing on a different theme each week, together they took part in stimulating activities such as gardening, singing, baking and arts and crafts.
Age Scotland’s chief executive Brian Sloan said: “I am delighted to present this year’s Patrick Brooks Award for Best Working Partnership to North Edinburgh Dementia Care and Craigentinny Primary School.
“It’s an absolute joy to see how much both members and pupils have benefitted from spending time together as part of this project, and it goes to show just how important it is to encourage building relationships and sharing skills between generations.
“Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the centre has had to remain closed at the moment, but staff and volunteers have continued to support their members - providing a one-to-one outreach support service, daily well-being telephone calls, weekly resource packs and online activities.
“I hope it’s not too long before members are able to visit the centre once again, and that this valuable collaboration is able to continue in the future. Congratulations to all involved on this well-deserved achievement.”
North Edinburgh Dementia Care’s manager Susan Cull said: "It is my absolute pleasure to accept the Patrick Brooks Award on behalf of North Edinburgh Dementia Care. We are all extremely thrilled that our intergenerational project with Craigentinny Primary School has been recognised as Age Scotland’s Best Working Partnership.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Craigentinny Primary School and their fantastic pupils, as well as all the wonderful staff at North Edinburgh Dementia Care, who worked together to deliver a project that was so meaningful and beneficial to members and pupils alike. We look forward to the day we can resume this amazing project and welcome our members and the pupils back to our lovely centre. Thank you."
