Children brighten up the lives of older people in Hammersmith with artwork

More than 100 children in Hammersmith have been lifting the spirits of local older people through the coronavirus lockdown, in an uplifting intergenerational arts project called Dreaming Forest.

Children and older people have been sharing their hopes, dreams and memories by decorating wooden birch leaves and posting them to each other.

The leaves will be shared with the wider community in an art installation in October.

“It was a joy to bring together two generations who have had to stay apart for so many months,” said Victoria Hill, chief executive of Hammersmith United Charities (HUC), which provides local sheltered housing and led the project.

“We wanted people – old and young – to enjoy the magic of unwrapping a parcel to find a unique message from someone reaching out to them.

“It’s so important to us that our residents feel happy, fulfilled and connected to their community.”

Kitty, who lives at Sycamore House in Hammersmith and hasn’t been able to have a visitor all summer, said: “Receiving something like this from children, it means a lot.

“It just lifted me from the lockdown – we have all been feeling low.

“That the children at school and teachers were thinking of us – it went a long way. The whole thing is a lovely gesture.”

Pictured above: Resident Jean at Sycamore House