Residents in aged care have joined with children in a new intergenerational playgroup pilot project.
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The Portland Tabulam Health Centre held its first intergenerational playgroup on Monday, October 29 in partnership with Communities and Kids - LINC and Lithgow City Council.
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The playgroup created a space for children and their parents to actively engage with Tabulam’s aged residents, supported by centre staff.
Lithgow City Council mayor, Cr Ray Thompson, said the project was launched with the assistance of a $16,000 Department of Family and Community Services grant.
“I’d also like to thank the project partners, Communities and Kids at LINC and Portland Tabulam Health Centre for their professionalism and commitment to positive ageing and enhancing social inclusion in our community,” he said.
Portland Tabulam Health Centre diversional therapist Mila Blofield said it was wonderful to see how the children and residents were drawn to each other.
She said they “participated in activities sometimes entirely intuitively – without needing much or any conversation.”
“The smiles and interactions between children and residents was such a pleasure to see,” she said.
The Intergenerational Playgroup at the Portland Tabulam Health Centre is a pilot project and will be held every Monday during term four in 2018 and term one in 2019.
The pilot will enable the project team to try new approaches to enhancing social connectedness and wellbeing.
