Burnside's weekly visits to Edward House has become permanent

Adults who visit Burgess Hill day centre service Burnside have been making a weekly visit to nearby elderly care home Edward House as part of their activities schedule.

The Buddy Outreach Group sees the adults with learning disabilities leading activities with some of the elderly residents and forging friendships.

After a three month pilot period the weekly visits have proven to be so popular on both sides that it will now be extended to become a regular part of their schedules.

Andrew Hooley, Burnside’s assistant day service manager, said: “The idea of the Buddy Outreach Group is to show that it’s not about the learning disability, it’s about the ability; it’s about what can be given back and brought to the community.

“Sometimes elderly people can feel as though they are no longer visible, but now people are coming in who are interested in them and want to know what Burgess Hill was like in the past. And they have some wonderful stories to tell.”

The sessions see the group lead a variety of activities with the elderly residents, but most importantly, they have built relationships with each other.

Registered manager of Edward House, Linda Bartley, said the weekly visit from Burnside was a highlight of the week for the residents.