By Leicester Mercury | Posted 11 February, 2016
Schoolchildren have been spending an afternoon every week with terminally ill patients as part of a new pilot project launched at a Hospice.
The city's LOROS Hospice, off Groby Road, is working with St Thomas More Catholic School, in Knighton, on a partnership which benefits patients and pupils.
A group of six students have been visiting the Hospice's day therapy unit on Thursdays, where they have been paired up with a patient to create colourful mosaics.
LOROS's Veronica Mickleburgh, who initiated the project, said: "It's so important for the children to interact with patients at because illnesses can be a part of people's lives and death is going to happen to us all at some point.
"We want to show the children that when people need places like LOROS at the end of their lives, it's not a scary place."
She added: "By coming into the Hospice, the children learn first-hand about the work we do.
"But we also want to dispel some of the myths people may have – and in particular, children have about hospices."
During their time together, the children and patients are given questions to ask one another to help break the ice and learn about each other's lives.
Veronica added: "The patients all think it's a really good idea, and both children and patients have left every week with a huge smile on their faces.
"The children are so accepting, it's almost like for those few hours they create a lot of normality for the patients."
Chris Allen, 75, from Hinckley, who has motor neurone disease believes the project is important for both parties.
He said: "I've been able to talk about why I come to LOROS. The children have all had a good look around and they all seem really interested in what happens at the Hospice.
"I've had a really fun time, it's been brilliant."
If the project is a success, the Hospice hopes to roll it out in to other primary schools in the City, County and Rutland.
Teacher Helen Priestley said: "This has been an incredibly valuable project.
"Our year six pupils have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the patients and creating these wonderful mosaics."
The mosaics, which together spell out 'LOROS', will go on display at the Hospice from next week.
Helen added: "Education is about more than just reading, writing and mathematics – through our involvement in this project the children have had an opportunity to use social skills, show kindness and above all compassion within our local community."
