Kind-hearted school pupils are bridging the generation gap to help tackle loneliness in the elderly.

All Saints Primary School, in Highlands Drive, Maldon, Longfield Care Home and the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group have teamed up for a very modern social experiment.

Throughout 2018 pupils have been visiting the Fambridge Close home to spend time with people with dementia.

The project has been code-named ‘Maldon Up!’ after those taking part saw likeness with the Disney Pixar film Up where a 78-year-old and a school boy become friends.

A short film has been produced by the CCG and Two Cubed Creative to show how successful the project has been.

All Saints headteacher Philip Brown said: “We’re always looking for ways to involve the school in our local community and have been nurturing some early links with three care homes over the past six months.

“We wanted to give our oldest pupils confidence in building new relationships before they go on to secondary school.

“Staff within the care homes were hopeful that the experience could also help to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst residents. The visits from our Year 6 pupils have been revolutionary for both age groups.

“We’ve seen some amazing and beautiful friendships unfold over the past few months. It’s been like watching our very own version of the Disney Pixar film ‘Up’.”

Home manager Gina Copsey added: “The atmosphere when the children visit is absolutely lovely, but what has surprised me is that, despite having dementia, many of our residents are remembering that the children have been there.

“They’re talking about it the next day and asking when they’ll be back.”

The CCG is working with Anglia Ruskin University on evaluation of outcomes of the project for the people living with dementia and the school pupils involved.

Dan Doherty, director of clinical transformation at CCG, said: “Projects like Up! offer a potential means of changing the mindset of a generation.

“We hope to show that intergenerational projects such as Up! have a profound positive impact on both young and old, helping them to live well and changing attitudes towards them in mid Essex and beyond.”

All Saints plans to expand the project and has set up a crowd funding page using The Essex Crowd platform offered by Essex County Council.

You can donate by visiting https://www.spacehive.com/maldon_up_project.

The film is online to watch at https://youtu.be/ObbHWauWg_w.