Aberdeen nurseries build special friendships with Rubislaw Park residents through weekly visits

Children from Bright Horizons at 24 St Swithin and Bright Horizons at 44 St Swithin in Aberdeen have been visiting residents at Rubislaw Park Care Home, taking part in shared activities, designed to encourage interaction, creativity and plenty of fun. 

The partnership brings together children from both nurseries with residents at the care home, providing opportunities for different generations to spend time together, learn from one another and form connections within their local community. 

The relationship originally began through word of mouth, with the team at Bright Horizons connecting with Rubislaw Park and its activity coordinators. Children from Bright Horizons at 24 St Swithin have now been taking part in weekly visits for over a year, while Bright Horizons at 44 St Swithin introduced the visits this year. 

Each visit provides something different for the children and residents to enjoy together. Activities have ranged from planting, painting and card making to puzzles, reading, threading with beads and building with magnetic blocks. 

The groups have also enjoyed dancing, singing, games and bingo, creating plenty of opportunities for the children and residents to interact, have fun and discover shared interests. 

Most recently, children from the nurseries joined residents for a visit from The Critter Keeper, giving both generations the chance to meet a variety of animals and enjoy the experience together. 

The regular visits have become a valuable opportunity for the children to build their confidence and communication skills while developing relationships with people of different generations.  

Helen, Nursery Manager at Bright Horizons at 24 and 44 St Swithin, said: "Our visits to Rubislaw Park are something the children really look forward to, and it has been wonderful to see the relationships between the children and residents develop. There is always something different for everyone to enjoy together. 

"Spending time with the residents gives the children a lovely opportunity to meet and communicate with different generations, while building their confidence and social skills. The residents and activity coordinators always make us feel incredibly welcome, and we're really proud that children from both of our nurseries can be part of such a special relationship within the local community." 

Kayleigh Chisholm, Home Manager at Rubislaw Park Care Home, said: “It is always a real joy to welcome the children from Bright Horizons at 24 St Swithin and 44 St Swithin to Rubislaw Park. Their visits bring so much energy and happiness to the home, and our residents really look forward to spending time with them each week. Whether they are getting creative, playing games, singing together or enjoying something a little different like The Critter Keeper, it is wonderful to see the connections that have formed between the children and residents. These visits are a lovely way of bringing different generations together and strengthening our links with the local community." 

Both nurseries look forward to continuing their visits to Rubislaw Park and creating even more opportunities for the children and residents to spend time together. 

To find out more or book a visit, visit Bright Horizons at 24 St Swithin Street or Bright Horizons at 44 St Swithin Street.