RESIDENTS at a Greenock care home are working with school pupils to create a mural as part of a special dementia project.

Pensioners from Glenfield have teamed up with children from Ardgowan Primary to create a mural depicting local landmarks.

It will go on display at the care home.

Jennifer Welsh, 10, said: “We are going to make a collage of Inverclyde’s main landmarks.

“I have enjoyed it because we’ve talked to the residents and found out what they used to do when they were younger.

“It’s really interesting to find out their stories.”

Her classmates Holly Hind and Alyssa Livingstone, who are both 11, are also enjoying the project.

Holly said: “I have learned a few things about what it was like when they were younger and about the sugar sheds.”

Mary McDonald, who is a resident at Glenfield, added: “It’s really nice.

“This is the school I went to so it’s extra special for me.”
Morag McMillan, who is an activities co-ordinator at the home, run by the Greenock Medical Aid Society, said Ardgowan Primary is a dementia friendly school and has a community link with the home.

She added: “The residents love chatting with the children and comparing what times were like in the past to the present day.”

The mural is just one of many projects being undertaken by the school and the care home.

Morag added: “Every three to four weeks, the primary six pupils meet with the residents and bring old and new pictures along as part of a reminisce afternoon.

“They’re making a scrapbook.

“Quite a few of the children are now learning how to communicate with people who have hearing disabilities using whiteboards, it’s working really well.”