THE Archie Project has been keeping spirits up in Hanover Court, Dulverton, for the past four years – and now plans have been laid down to carry on for a fifth year.

The project centres round a scarecrow named Archie and aims to break down barriers between younger and older people, by means of intergenerational activities and life stories, attempting to dispel fears surrounding dementia.

It also builds confidence in youngsters enabling them to gain and present information. When the children are working with residents on their life stories, it helps to stimulate those memories that have been long forgotten.

And the attention of the children is often captured by some fascinating stories of old school days, trips to the seaside and so on – even some war time memories.

Through the year, the children work their way through a project book and there are inter-generational activities.

Towards the end of the year the children work with residents gaining information about their lives and put together a presentation.

The culmination of the project is a celebration day where the children join the residents for lunch, present residents’ life stories and receive certificates showing they have taken part in the project.

Our pictures were taken at this year’s celebration day, held earlier this month.

Hanover Court has been working on the project with Reminiscence Learning and Dulverton School and its residents are looking forward to next year’s class joining them from September.