Pupils from nearby Larbert High School have been visiting Bield’s Robertson Court to hold sessions with tenants in an intergenerational initiative aimed at bridging the gap between young and older members of the community.  

Run by the Tryst Community Sports Club, the initiative - termed ‘The Generation Project’ - has seen pupils use their PE classes to plan and deliver the weekly exercise sessions.

Linda McMurtrie, retirement housing manager at Robertson Court, said: “The classes have been a great success and proven really popular with the tenants.

“Not only do the sessions provide tenants with a great way of keeping fit, the pupils also stay to chat afterwards.

“The tenants love talking to the kids and likewise the pupils are fascinated by some of the stories they have to share.”

The programme received funding from SportScotland’s Go Live Get Active fund, aimed at creating sports programmes for those most at risk of inactivity to improve health, wellbeing and self-esteem.

Research suggests that intergenerational activities can be mutually beneficial to both young and old people, with studies showing improved emotional and social wellbeing.

Greg Nicol, head of sport at Larbert High School and Tryst Community Sports Club, said: “The programme has been a great success with both residents and pupils.

“Not only have we achieved our original aim of increasing the tenant’s physical activity, the programme has also created a unique bond between younger and older members of the community.

“The pupils have been involved throughout the whole process, from lesson planning to leading the sessions, and have acted as excellent ambassadors for the school.”