Scarecrow brings local pupils and care home residents together

Home news

Nov 27, 2017

Residents and team members from Colne View were invited to Richard de Clare Primary School as part of an inter-generational project aimed at dispelling the myths and stigma associated with dementia.

The team and residents from Colne View care home in Halstead joined Year Four pupils in a special assembly - the children dressed up as scarecrows and showed their parents and friends the work they have been doing on their regular visits to the care home on Dame Mary Walk.

The Archie Project is an initiative set-up by the charity Reminiscence Learning, and introduced by Care UK at the home. The project has involved the children working with residents over several weeks on arts and crafts projects. As well as talking with residents about what life had been like when they were at school. 

The Archie Project is a dementia awareness programme linking schools and care homes together, and is centred round a brightly knitted scarecrow called Archie, which has been designed to help pupils understand how the condition can affect older people.    

Home manager at Colne View, Audrey Joslin, said: “We believe it is important to learn about dementia from a young age and hope that this project will raise awareness of the condition for pupils, as well as their parents, teachers and the local community. 

“The pupils and residents have had a wonderful time getting to know each other and sharing stories, so were delighted to have been invited along to a special assembly at the school. We are looking forward to continuing the work with pupils at Richard de Clare Primary School on various planned projects including signing, gardening and reminiscing, and hope to build on the friendships which have been forged. 

Vivien Sharp, Year Four teacher at Richard De Clare Primary School said: “We were delighted when the team at Colne View got in touch with a fantastic opportunity to build new relationships and learn more about the effects of dementia. The children have thoroughly enjoyed the inter-generational project and are looking forward to continuing their work with the residents.”