DURING the past few months, a group of year two and reception children from Hayward’s Primary School in Crediton have been visiting Hillbrow Residential Care Home.

This has been part of a focus at Hayward’s Primary School to build links with the local community.

After an initial “getting to know you” session where the children made and decorated a paper chain to represent the links being made between Hayward’s and Hillbrow, the children and residents enjoyed a range of activities which have included crafts, games and recently, the children helped the residents decorate their Zimmer frames as part of a nationwide project called "Pimp My Zimmer".

It can sometimes be difficult for residents to identify their own grey walking frame so personalising and decorating the frames makes them more individual and easy to identify.

Other care homes have reported that their residents walked around more and falls were reduced after frames were decorated. The residents and children enjoyed a very busy and fun morning decorating the frames, and those residents who do not use walking frames made some bunting instead.

Children, residents and staff alike have found the visits uplifting, exciting and truly enjoyable with everyone always looking forward to the next visit. The children have behaved impeccably at each visit and have been able to develop lovely relationships with the residents, known as their “Grand friends”, by asking questions and talking to them. The hope is that this link will continue to build with further visits already planned in the Summer term.