Tall Poppies project rolls back the years for dementia patients
19.12.2024
A heart-warming nature project which saw local primary schoolchildren interacting with dementia patients at a community hospital is hoping to find funding to extend the scheme.
The Tall Poppies Project matched specially selected children from Ysgol Maes Y Felin, Holywell, with patients at Holywell Community Hospital’s Ffynnon Wards. It saw Year 5 children working alongside their more experienced classmates during craft projects, discussions - and explorations of the natural world.
The idea was developed by Isa Lamb, CEO of social enterprise King’s Garden, and Rebecca McConnell, the manager of Ffynnon Ward B. Although its National Lottery Community Fund backing ended in November, they hope the project can come back to the hospital.
Oliver, aged 10 and a pupil at Ysgol Maes Y Felin, outlined why he enjoyed the sessions. He said: “I like the art and learning about the different subjects. I like talking to the patients because it’s kind and they are kind back. They are very nice.
“They tell me a lot of things. They talk about football sometimes and I like football – I support Liverpool. It’s just really good fun.”
Dementia wellbeing worker Katie Worth, is the hospital’s answer to a Blue Peter presenter, busily devising craft projects for young and old to collaborate on. She explained what the sessions do for her patients.
“We have patients who are uncommunicative,” she said. “But the children come here and these uncommunicative patients come to life. For the children to be around people with dementia helps them and it makes the condition seem less scary.”
Ysgol Maes Y Felin teacher Bethan Martin explained the mutual benefits of the sessions, as we all learned a mole has 44 teeth, to gasps from young and old alike. In case you weren’t aware, that is two more than a fox.
She said: “As you can see, the children get a lot from these sessions and they help the patients. However, they learn so much from them – it’s lovely to see.”
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The scheme ran from January to the end of November and saw the children and patients go outside to sample nature first hand, when conditions allowed. Each session is themed around an animal, bird or aspect of the natural world.
As the group moves on to making impressive 3D models of moles, Isa Lamb, CEO of King’s Garden, outlined why these two groups, separated by decades, come together so well.
“The unique thing about the natural world is that everybody loves it,” she explained. “Interest and fascination with it, doesn’t depend on background, culture or age. It’s an ideal subject to bring the generations together when done so with knowledge, skill, creativity and passion. We love seeing the joy it brings to everyone.”
Rebecca McConnell. Ffynnon Ward B Manager, said: “It is one of those heart-warming situations where everyone gets something positive from it. We are always thinking of things which can stimulate the minds of our patients and this really does that. It’s lovely to witness.”
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