A SPECIAL link connecting primary school pupils in Barnoldswick with sufferers of dementia is all down to the hard work of Louise Catlow.

The teaching assistant and afterschool club leader was the resounding winner in an extremely strong category. The judges were impressed by how she had forged links between her pupils and Cravenside nursing home in the town.

The home had originally approached the school for help to redesign its garden.

Mrs Catlow, who runs the 28-strong E’COol Club, which concentrates on green and environmental issues at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, took up the challenge.

She said: “We went to the nursing home and helped them with the garden and while the children were there they met the residents and some of them have dementia.

“The children were asking all these different questions. Some of the children have relatives with dementia and so I spoke to Cravenside and we got some training for the children.

Under Mrs Catlow’s guidance the pupils are now designated ‘Dementia Friends’ - the first school in the country to be given the accolade - with the youngsters singing with the elderly, helping out with the garden and also carving pumpkins at Hallowe’en and lots more.

Mrs Catlow has also organised dementia training in the community and is also liaising with other schools.

The former childminder, who started at the school seven years ago, wrote to Blue Peter to tell them about the pupils’ efforts and they were all awarded a green eco Blue Peter Badge.

Head teacher Natalie Wood said: “The children have re-told their information to their families and other people in the wider community who now want to know more about the project.

“Mrs Catlow has now organised dementia training for the wider community. She also organises litter picks, planting trees, growing fruit and vegetables and generally looks after our environment.”

Like all the other candidates in this category, sponsored by Twin Valley Homes, the judges were impressed by her utter dedication and willingness to go the extra mile to provide another aspect to the pupils’ education.

Perhaps an even better indicator of how successful her E’COol club is is that she has a waiting list.

“It was quite a shock to be nominated and to win is a real shock, but a nice one,” she said.

When she collected her award at Stanley House, Mrs Catlow thanked her family for their support during ‘all the time I’m not at home while doing this for the children’.