Elderly residents and Uddingston pupils unite for sports day

Elderly residents and pupils in Uddingston came together to host a special sports day.

The event saw the two generations from St John Paul II Primary School and Rosepark Care Home participate in classic games like egg and spoon race, table tennis, basketball, bean bag target, and shoot the goal.

The day concluded with every child receiving a sports day medal from the residents.

Over the last three years, the pupils frequented the care home, spending time with the residents chatting, reading, listening to music, and taking part in a biweekly knitting bee.

(Image: BIG Partnership)

Elizabeth White, 79, a resident at Rosepark Care Home, said: "The sports day brought back so many happy memories of my own childhood.

"The kids energy and enthusiasm gave us all the boost we needed, so much so I won shoot the goal."

Another resident, Colin Bulloch, 73, said: “The partnership with the school is great, the children light up the place every time they visit and bring is so much joy.

“I really enjoyed the sports day, especially table tennis which was always my favourite. I loved playing with the youngsters and even managed to draw one match.”

(Image: BIG Partnership)

Lauren Kenny, operations support manager at Renaissance Care, said: “The sports day was a huge success, the sense of camaraderie shone through as residents and pupils worked together in teams to compete in the various games.

“Meaningful activities such as these are so important for residents’ physical and mental wellbeing and are a big part of the work we do here at Rosepark to encourage active lifestyles.

“The partnership with St John Paul II Primary School has been fantastic, the mood instantly lifts every time the children visit.

(Image: BIG Partnership)

“There are more similarities than you would think between old and young people - older people like to have fun, just like the rest of us.”

Rosepark Care Home, part of the Renaissance Care Group, stringently focuses on holistic care, delaying keen regard to the interests and needs of the residents.