Pupils use flower power at Pendine Park

A group of kind-hearted primary schoolchildren used flower power to brighten up the lives of Pendine Park residents.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils from Ysgol Bodhyfryd planted daffodils and other bulbs in flowerpots they decorated themselves and presented them to residents of Pendine Park’s Hillbury care home in Wrexham as a keepsake.

The visit was part of an intergenerational project that’s seen the youngsters visit Hillbury once a fortnight.

Also, there on this occasion was the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Rob Walsh, who said it was a wonderful idea.

The project was the brainchild of Heulwen Harris, the school’s retired deputy head, whose late father was a resident at Hillbury.

As a result, the pupils go on visits to the care home to make friends with the residents and get involved in a range of activities.

Heulwen said: “My father, who has sadly passed away, was a resident here and I just thought children would benefit from meeting residents and getting to know them. It is a two-way thing and residents get a great deal from it too."

“It stemmed from the first intergenerational project which was centred around the Hillbury gardens and now we have as many as 90 Year 5 and 6 children taking it in turns to come along fortnightly.

“We decided to try bringing some reception children along too and they have really enjoyed it. It’s lovely to see the interaction between children and residents and it’s obvious they are all benefitting. In fact, we have seen some very special friendships form between residents and children, it’s quite touching actually.”


She added: “For this project children made flower containers from plastic food containers which they then decorated. They then, with the help of some residents, filled them with compost and planted miniature daffodils and other small bulbs."

“They are going to be presented to residents to keep and care for. They will certainly brighten their rooms.”

Cllr Walsh said: “It was a pleasure to see these wonderful young people so relaxed and clearly enjoying the company of elderly residents. I’d actually go as far as to say it’s an honour to have been here. It’s clear children are really benefitting from this project as are the residents. I’d like to see more intergenerational projects such as this. It really is amazing and something special."

“Well done Pendine Park Care Organisation and Ysgol Bodhyfryd on what is a great joint scheme.”