A GROUP of kids put smiles on the faces of dementia patients on Friday as a special treasure hunt took place at a North Swindon care home.

Specialist dementia nursing home Abbey House, in Blunsdon, invited a group of children from Busy Bees nursery at St Andrew’s Ridge to hunt for painted rocks which had been hidden in the garden.

The rocks had been painted by the home’s elderly residents, who joined forces with the kids to find as many hidden rocks as they could.

Kinga Dabrowska, customer relations co-ordinator at Abbey House, said: “Everyone absolutely loved it, it was brilliant.

“We decided to open ourselves up to the community and to invite the children to come and meet the residents.

“There were smiles on everybody’s faces, especially the residents, who thought it was wonderful.”

Once found, rocks were taken by the children and distributed in the local community for others to enjoy.

Speaking about the positive influence that children can have on the elderly residents, Kinga said: “Children have a very therapeutic effect on those with dementia.

“It reminds them of when they were young and really creates a positive atmosphere.”

She also touched on the positive effects such interactions can have on the kids.

She said: “For the children, it’s important for them to learn about the ageing process and the nature of diseases such as dementia. I think everyone learned a lot.”