Zac Goldsmith MP, accompanied by some Abbeyfield residents, attended Queen's Primary School assembly in to hand out awards to pupils as part of a partnership to link young children with older people.

Each month, since July 2014, a small group of children have visited Palmer House, a sheltered housing facility on Ennerdale Road, for a morning of intergenerational activities.

As part of Abbeyfield’s Rising Stars Awards, the scheme rewards schoolchildren for their commitment to enhancing the lives of older people.

Senior House Manager, Pauline Green said: “Our residents really enjoy these visits. It’s important for society’s youth to interact with older people, and we’re proud to support that with the Abbeyfield Rising Stars initiative.”

The Palmer House residents enjoy chatting with the school children and help them to understand what life is like for older people and gives pupils the chance to learn a bit more about history, such as war-time Britain.

Pauline added, “At Abbeyfield, we thrive on establishing local community connections and insist on making every day valuable for our residents.”

Zac Goldsmith said; “This has become an annual tradition for me, and I enjoy it enormously every time. The collaboration between Queen’s school pupils and Abbeyfield residents is very moving, and hugely valuable.”