CHILDREN and care home residents have developed an unlikely bond as art sessions help bring the generations closer together.

The children from Latchford Primary School visit Belong Warrington's Care Village in Latchford where the four-year-olds and residents sing together as well as creating crafts.

When the school lost weekly transport to these arts and crafts afternoons, Belong stepped in and arranged transport to keep the intergenerational art sessions going.

Diane Wrench, who lives in a Belong Warrington independent living apartment and volunteers during the sessions, was a teaching assistant for 30 years and is now one of the children's favourites.

Kerith Pepperdine, experience coordinator at Belong Warrington, said: "The visits are extremely beneficial for both children and residents as intergenerational connections provide a chance to build relationships.

"Assisting children during activities enhances the residents’ memories of looking after their own children.

"These connections with schools and colleges are also important to enable us to enhance and maintain the vibrant community of Belong."

Sharon Bates, teaching assistant from Latchford Primary School, added: "The children have gained a lot of empathy, social skills and understanding of different environments.

"They are learning how to be compassionate and have formed some real friendships here.

"At first I didn’t think they knew how to interact with residents or how to relate to them, but then there was a breakthrough and now they all really love it."

Belong Warrington hosts additional visits to engage with the community, such as work placements for students from Priestly College and visits from animals which provide Pet Assisted Therapy.