The children are regular visitors, but this was a special session dedicated to the enjoyment of books and storytelling through Eildon’s sponsorship of the Borders Book Festival and the promotion of inter-generational access to books and learning. This interactive lively session tied in well with the weekly Older People Active Lives (OPAL) programme in conjunction with Eildon Housing and fellow charity Cyrenians, who provide service support.

The programme helps to maintain and improve social connections and independence and takes place across all Eildon’s supported and extra care developments. This visit certainly helped with that. All ages watched and listened intently to a recording of ‘Scaredy Bat’ by Jonathan Meres ‘(one of the many books recommended by the Borders Book Festival on their website) and then by special request, Elaine C Smith’s ‘The Glasgow Gruffalo’.

Armed with a library book of their choice, each child also had a story read to them by a Riverside tenant.

Kingsland Nursery’s early years officer, Katy Noble, said: “It was clear to see from the faces how much everyone was enjoying this special time. Many of the Riverside tenants said how they found it uplifting being joined by the younger ones, and how they greatly enjoyed their company and their infectious enthusiasm.”

Nile Istephan, Eildon’s chief executive, said: “We value our relationships with the Borders Book Festival, and we intend to replicate more activities like this across all our supported and extra care sites in the Borders through our successful OPAL programme with Cyrenians. It is such a positive and worthwhile thing to do, and sharing books is a great way to bring inter-generational communities together. A big thanks to the staff and pupils from Kingsland Primary School.”