We'd like to take a moment to tell you about a brand new initiative being run at one of our homes. Since the beginning of term children from the nearby Whaley Thorns School have been visiting Langwith Lodge Residential Home, and the group has formed some fast friendships in a very short space of time. The brainchild of headteacher Annette Lupton and home manager Zoe Searston the initiative aims to bring the generations together in a warm, comfortable and relaxed environment. The old and young still have so much to teach, and learn from one another - least of all the ability to have fun!
Residents Tony, Janet, Fred, Al, Margaret, Norma, Rosa, Baz, Eileen, Dulcie, Gail and Violet are seen here with their new partners in crime. They have loved every moment of getting to know their four and five-year old friends, as you can perhaps tell from those beaming smiles. Just weeks into their friendships the residents and school children have completed exercise classes, read and played together, as well as discussing the aspects of their lives and childhoods that are similar and different. As you can imagine the conversations about old and new toys have been enlightening for both generations.
This intergenerational playtime continues to bring the best out of everyone involved. Parents have told us that that their children have been brimming with excitement when describing the weekly sessions, with one little boy noting that Langwith Lodge Residential Home is a big school for his new friend. We like to think that our care homes inspire, enrich and nurture our residents much like a school does for its pupils, so we loved that analogy! Discussions about aspects of their lives are helping our residents to engage their memories and stimulating cognitive function, while both children and adults have a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. They are taking their new friendship very seriously!
The benefits of pairing the old and young are well-documented and far-reaching. Teaching children and adults a wealth of new skills sessions such as these invigorate and energise the elderly, and help the little ones understand ageing in their own relatives. Fears they might have had about the elderly and care homes are alleviated, and isolation and depression amongst residents are greatly reduced. Intergenerational activities encourage families to spend time at care homes, and banish the idea that these are not places for children, noise and fun. Our residents have been looking for an excuse to rediscover their senses of fun - and here it was.
Residents have delighted in the company of their pint-sized pals. The children, meanwhile, are so enjoying imparting their wisdom. Cooper, seen below with his new friend Margaret, particularly enjoys reading and discussing dinosaurs. Margaret is now something of an expert.
We cannot wait to see what our residents and the children of Whaley Thorns School get up to next. We'll be documenting their adventures for you to see and read about. We hope that their experiences inspire other care homes, schools and communities to partner with one another. It's never too late to make a new friend or two - whatever their age.
- Louise, Marketing Assistant
Comments
Post a Comment