Bridging the generation gap at Heron Lodge in Wroxham!

Mary Goslar is 92, Ellie Clarke and her friends are 14. But as soon as the glue, glitter and coloured paper come out the generation gap fades away. The era in which Mrs. Goslar grew up is in the history books studied by the year 10 and 11 students at Broadland High School but the task of making Christmas cards together brings them together in animated conversation and smiles.   Students studying health and social care at the Hoveton school have been making weekly visits to Heron Lodge nursing home across the river in Wroxham to help them with their GCSE studies.  

However, Janette – “Nettie” – Sumner, activities coordinator at the Kingsley Healthcare run home, said their residents were benefiting from the visits every bit as much as the teenagers. She said: “In this day and age, family members often live many miles from each other and older people frequently have a lot less contact with their grandchildren. “So it’s great to have activities at the home which bring the generations together.” Pointing to Mrs. Goslar, she said: “Look how animated Mary is, interacting with the students.  

“Another of our residents, Muriel Howard, has so been looking forward to it, she started making cards before they even arrived. “Everyone has really enjoyed making the cards that they are going to send to their pen pals at Lilac Lodge care home, in Lowestoft.” Elisha Dixon, one of the year 10 students, said: “Last time we visited we had a 1940s tea party and some of us made cakes for it. “Communicating with older people in this way helps us with our studies but it is also enjoyable.” School spokesman Rachel Wyatt said: “Visiting Heron Lodge is a rewarding experience for our students and forms part of our efforts to engage with the local community.  

“At the other end of the age scale, we do a lot with local primary school children.”