Pupils at Dunblane Primary School are bridging the generational gap by organising regular meet-ups with residents from a local housing association for older people.

Every month, residents from two of Hanover Scotland’s developments in Dunblane, as well as other pensioners from the area, visit Dunblane Primary School to take part in a variety of activities with pupils in their Action Team, one of the school’s citizenship groups working to make a difference in their local community.

At the most recent event primary 4 to 7 pupils shared homemade pancakes, refreshments and stories with the pensioners. Previously, residents have had the opportunity to watch the primary 1 and 2 nativity play as well as test their vocal chords in Robert Burns Day celebrations.

The Hanover Scotland residents come from Holmehill Court and Hanover Court in Dunblane and are transported there by local voluntary group, Contact the Elderly.

Mary Connolly, a resident at Hanover Court, said: “It is wonderful to be able to spend time with the pupils, they always make you feel so welcome and their smiles and energy really do brighten up your day. There is something very special about reading a story with a child - I am already looking forward to the next event.”

The meet-ups have been so successful that Faye Hislop, Principal Teacher at Dunblane Primary School, hopes even more local residents will take part in future.

She commented: “This has been a great initiative so far. The pupils thoroughly enjoy their time with the residents and have built up a really great bond with the regulars. It took a lot of work to get going in the start but it is definitely worth it to see the smiles on every one of the pupils’ and residents’ faces and I hope that this initiative will continue to grow.”

Trevor Rae, sheltered housing manager at Hanover Scotland’s Holmehill Court, said: “This has been a great benefit to the residents already, there really is nothing like a child’s enthusiasm and friendliness to put a smile on everyone’s face.”