Reading group launched to bring young and elderly together

AN INTERGENERATIONAL reading group has been set up between care home residents and primary school pupils in Teesside.

Youngsters from Barley Fields Primary School, in Thornaby, have been reciting their favourite books to residents at Ingleby Care Home, Barwick Stockton on Tees.

The Year 3 pupils have started visiting on a weekly basis, sitting with the residents while they share stories.

After reading to a resident, Maddie Duffield, aged 8, said: “I enjoyed chatting. She was so funny.”

Ella Snowball, aged 8, said: “I enjoyed the fact she was really listening to me read and she was reading along sometimes.”

Jessica Armstrong, aged 7, said: “I enjoyed them listening to me read.”

Kirsty Walsh, activities coordinator at Ingleby Care Home, helped set the group up with Barley Fields Primary School teacher Phillipa Neave.

Kirsty said: “The residents thoroughly enjoy the reading group and look forward to visits from the pupils each week.

“It is brilliant to see the two generations interacting and bonding over books. Everyone is grinning from ear to ear by the end of the session.”