PUPILS in Crickhowell and residents at a care home are working together to form a new community choir.
The project is part of an initiative introduced to combat the spread of dementia.
The pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Crickhowell Primary School have been visiting Greenhill Residential Home in Crickhowell.
They are all members of an after-school club and have received training for the venture from Joan Brown from local Dementia Matters charity.
The children have prepared a selection of songs they thought the residents would enjoy singing.
Now every week they have got the Greenhill residents hand jiving to such old favourites as ‘Rock around the Clock’, ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ and ‘Oh when the saints go marching in’.
Kate Logan, Greenhill’s activities coordinator, said the residents really look forward to the children’s visits as the activity not only helps to keep their minds alert but they are also great fun to take part in.
One member of the newly-formed choir said: “We love seeing the children each week and singing together. They are just wonderful!”
Susan Jones, assistant head at the primary school, said: “We are very proud of the children who have given up their own time to begin this inter-generational journey with us. This project was instigated and is bein enthusiastically led by our music co-ordinator Kath Davies, who has engaged with multi agencies to make this happen. Staff and all of the Year 5 and 6 children are now Dementia Friends. We look forward to the development of this project in the future to strengthen our relationships in the community”
Ms Davies said: “We are planning more singing sessions during June and July and will be adding some new songs to our repertoire which have been suggested by our new friends at Greenhill.
“A huge thank you to all the staff and parents who have supported us each week.’