A growing partnership between Wickford Primary School and The Grange Care Home is helping to build stronger connections between generations through dementia awareness and education.
Recently, Kieun Kwon, Associate Director of Dementia and Wellbeing for Runwood Homes and an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador, delivered an engaging Dementia Friends session to 90 Year 6 students at Wickford Primary School.
The interactive workshop forms part of an ongoing collaboration between the school and The Grange Care Home, led by Lifestyle Coordinator Cathy and Deputy Headteacher Katy. Together, they are committed to creating meaningful relationships between students and elderly residents while promoting empathy and understanding within the community.
The 45-minute session encouraged students to learn about dementia in a fun and accessible way through games, discussion and interactive activities. Children explored how dementia affects the brain and learned that the condition impacts much more than memory, including communication, emotions and perception.
Rather than focusing on the challenges of dementia alone, the session highlighted the importance of kindness, patience and meaningful connection. Students were encouraged to think about how small acts of understanding can make a significant difference to people living with dementia.
At the end of the session, students proudly became Dementia Friends and shared personal pledges about how they would support and show compassion within their communities.
Following the success of the session, plans are now underway to expand the Dementia Friends training to all 350 pupils at Wickford Primary School, further strengthening the school’s commitment to dementia awareness and intergenerational connection.
The initiative continues to demonstrate the positive impact that partnerships between schools and care homes can have in bringing communities together and fostering empathy across generations.
