FRIENDSHIPS are being forged between pupils from Musselburgh Grammar School and members of the Musselburgh Meeting Centre for people with dementia.

The young people have been visiting the centre as part of wider achievement courses for multiple projects run by the school.

This has proved a big hit with centre members, one of whom, Pat Rae, contacted the Courier to pay tribute to the pupils, saying: “Since late 2023, six to eight pupils have been visiting us for activities and it has worked very well.

“I think they were impressed when they saw us doing things, and there has been a lot of laughter.

“They were good at the curling and found out that we are as competitive as they are.

“I think they were good at flower-arranging too. For last Christmas they helped us make gingerbread houses which we then ate. I have learned a lot from their visits.

“Of course, these young people will be moving on at the end of this term. It’s been a big thing for us and we are looking forward to a new group joining us after the summer holidays – it’s so beneficial for the young people to get to know us and for us to know them.”

Members say the Musselburgh Meeting Centre, which is supported by Dementia Friendly East Lothian, has "changed their lives for the better" 

Ellie Ganson, music teacher, said that her class began working with the meeting centre originally to start an intergenerational choir.

“This was a great success and the choir performed at the meeting centre Christmas party and coffee morning,” she said.

“Since Christmas, the project has grown far beyond the intergenerational choir to include Christmas crafts, new age kurling and painting sessions.”

She added: “The most important thing throughout this collaboration has been developing the relationships between the members and young people.

“True friendships have been made over the course of the year and the level of comfort and confidence in communication between the generations has increased significantly. Watching my pupils and the members relate to one another and break down generational stigmas has been an absolute joy to watch and, while it will be sad to see the current cohort move on to pastures new, I greatly look forward to continuing the project with next year’s senior pupils.”

One S5 pupil said: “I have learned that people living with dementia are just like us. There is no need for labels!”

The Musselburgh Meeting Centre – the first in the county – is run by Dementia Friendly East Lothian. It is funded by East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership as part of the East Lothian Dementia Strategy and Community Transformation Project.

The centre runs twice weekly at St Andrew’s High Church. Dementia Friendly East Lothian also supports the Musselburgh Friendship Group, a weekly social drop-in for anyone interested in dementia or brain health.

The group meets on Thursday morning from 10.30am to noon at the Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club. An open day is being held on July 11 from 10.30am to noon.

Sue Northrop, of Dementia Friendly East Lothian, said: “The Musselburgh Meeting Centre is a place where people living with dementia and carers can be with people in the same boat and live and not exist.

“The members and team are inspiring. Pat and the Cockenzie House & Gardens Dementia Friendship Group have been working with us for many years to make this happen.”