Benevolent Living is a place where walkers and wheelchairs outnumber the prams. But our Intergenerational Playgroup – a playgroup where both the young and young-at-heart come out to play, is aiming to change all that.
At around 10am every Wednesday, our community’s residents join with Playgroup Queensland families with young children aged from birth-to-five in a safe and engaging environment for an hour of fun and laughter.
Our Lifestyle Officer, Tash Bishop, is the facilitator of the group and said the most important part for her was watching the relationships really grow between the families who attended, the children and the residents.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the first pilot program for Ageless Play in regional Queensland. It was such an honour for our community to be approached,” Tash said.
“I can’t wait to see the program grow and relationships form between our staff, the children and their families.
“I’ve already seen such a positive impact in our residents already, they really look forward to every Wednesday morning knowing they will see the children again!”
Playgroup Queensland’s Field Support Officer, Leisa Rutledge, said Young at Heart is part of a national initiative called Ageless Play where playgroup organisations throughout Australia collaborated with aged care services, retirement services and early learning centres to host regular playgroups.
“While the concept is still in its infancy in Australia, our numbers are growing every day. What started out as a pilot at an aged care service has extended to offer intergenerational playgroups to retirement villages and early learning centres throughout the country,” Leisa said.
For more information, go to the ageless play website www.agelessplay.com.au