The Glasgow care home where residents are learning Italian
in this small group, most are in their late 80s and 90s, many are living with dementia, and all are about to achieve an SQA Level 2 qualification in Italian.
Today is their final lesson and teacher Gloria Lattanzi is a delight, full of energy and laughter, as she leads her students through their workbooks, gently cajoling them into recalling things they have learned over the last 10 weeks.
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
She covers Italian geography, history, art and music, peppering her lesson with interesting facts.
'Leonardo da Vinci was a vegetarian,' she informs the room, before a quick quiz tests everyone's knowledge of colours and numbers, and they round off the session by listening to a beautiful Italian song.
'It is a real privilege for me to teach these people, they are so enthusiastic, so full of joy,' beams Gloria. 'And they are good. They have all learned a lot, and remember much of what I have taught them.'
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
Activity co-ordinator Shareen Beg explains: 'Our home prioritises dignity, engagement and wellbeing for people living with dementia and this project is part of a wider effort to create stimulating and inclusive activities.
'Some of our residents are native Italian speakers, so we thought it would be good to learn their language.
"Lingo Flamingo, an organisation that specialises in bringing language learning to older adults, have been delivering the sessions and it has been a lot of fun.'
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
She adds, smiling: 'We are incredibly proud of them all – it's a pleasure to watch them flourish, step out of their comfort zones and engage with fellow residents. It has been heartwarming and inspiring.'
Agnese Campopiano (Image: Anne Marie McGhie)
Agnese Campopiano was born in Santa Maria Oliveto, a small town north of Naples. She came to Glasgow at the age of 18.
'It was the 1950s and many Italians came to Scotland looking for work,' explains her daughter, Anne Marie McGhie.
'She lived with an aunt and uncle on Woodlands Road. She met my dad, Mario, in Glasgow – he too had left Italy as a teenager. He ran a chip shop on Dumbarton Road and they got married in 1959.'
Agnese with her husband Mario and family Annamaria (Anne Marie), Luciana and Carlo (Image: Anne Marie McGhie)
Both Anne Marie and her sister Luciana were born in St Francis Maternity Hospital, which stood on the site of the current care home. Their brother, Carlo, was born in 1968.
Agnese, who was a home help and retired at 60, in 1995, has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. Her short term memory has been affected, says her daughter.
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
'She loves the Italian classes,' she adds, smiling. 'It gives her a lot of joy.'
The lessons have also sparked memories for fellow Father George Gillespie, who worked in Rome for 13 years.
'I did parish work, and spent some time at the Vatican,' he explains. 'I learned a little bit of Italian, not much, but I'm finding these lessons very good.'
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
Father Robert Hill moved into St Francis's around 18 months ago. He and his sister Carlyn grew up in Calton,
'I love the classes, they are great fun and we learn a lot,' he says.
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
Carlyn adds: 'The classes are a great idea. I know Robert has thoroughly enjoyed being part of it. It gives him a sense of purpose, it's really worthwhile.'
She adds: 'It's fascinating to see how the brain works. He has been diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment, and often he can find it difficult to make himself understood in English.
"But then he speaks Italian, and all he has learned comes back and it's really quite something.
'It's a challenge, but the teachers are just fantastic and make it a lot of fun.'
Gloria teaches with enthusiasm and joy (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
Shareen, and fellow activity co-ordinators Davina Rowan and Janet Johny, are organising a special graduation ceremony for the residents.
'It's been a great 10 weeks,' says Shareen, smiling. 'It's been wonderful to hear Agnese speak her native language, and to see the joy the classes bring everyone.
"With hearts full of pride and joy, we will have a party to celebrate their incredible journey.'
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