Art Class Brings Generations Together at ACH Group

Making art with a group of three-and-four-year-olds once a month is the highlight of an intergenerational program at ACH Group residential care home Colton Court in McLaren Vale.

The pre-schoolers from McLaren Vale Montessori Children’s Centre have become good friends with residents since they started their visits four years ago.

As well as art classes, the group enjoys a range of special activities, including an annual visit from Adelaide Hills wildlife sanctuary Warrawong2U.

Colton Court resident Nancy Whitcher, 91, always looks forward to the visits, especially doing craft projects with the group.

An avid knitter, Nancy donated 20 knitted animals to the Montessori centre three years ago.

“We enjoy having the kids come down and showing them things that they can do with their hands, and help them do it. We all look forward to seeing them and I think the little ones really enjoy spending time with us, too.”

Colton Court Lifestyle Coordinator Cheryl Ormerod says it is clear the visits are enjoyed by everyone involved.

“Everyone just loves the children and because we tailor activities to the children’s age groups, they learn a lot from the experience, too.”

ACH Group runs intergenerational playgroups and activities across its residential care homes, including a weekly group at Highercombe, Hope Valley, occasional visits at Kapara, Glenelg, and a frequent collaboration between Pembroke Community Care preschool students and residents who are part of an art class at Milpara, and a school holiday out of hours care program at Perry Park, Port Noarlunga.

ACH Group’s Sing for Joy North choir is in rehearsals with Wynn Vale Primary School students ahead of an intergenerational performance in October.

Find out more about ACH Group. 

Pictured: Fletcher, 3, with resident Maureen Smith