Fun Times Had by Both Young and Old

Fun and frivolity were on offer to both young and old recently as residents from a popular western suburbs aged care home attended a playgroup, as part of an innovative program on offer by Playgroup WA.

Bringing joy to both seniors and children, the intergenerational playgroup saw residents from Regis Nedlands travel to Perth and Tattersall's Bowling and Recreation Club in East Perth to share stories, songs and snacks with the next generation, as well as to participate in play and spend time chatting and catching up.

The bi-monthly visits to the playgroup by Regis Nedlands aims to encourage companionship and connections between young and the old, enabling seniors to experience enhanced wellbeing through fun and friendships, while enabling the children, who may otherwise have little interaction with seniors and older family members, to gain the opportunity to spend time with older people.

Regis Nedlands General Manager, Sam Waldron, says the benefits of the program extended both ways, with the children and residents involved genuinely enjoying their time together and forming strong bonds.

“We’re delighted by how well the ‘grandparent time’ brought about by the intergenerational initiative with Playgroup WA has been received, by both the residents and children alike,” he says.  

“Older people love children, particularly little ones, it can help them to feel young at heart and also enables them to share stories about their own childhoods, and to showcase their own hobbies, talents, and life lessons.

“Some of our residents may not see their grandchildren or great grandchildren that often, perhaps because they live overseas, so this initiative is a great way for our seniors to spend time with youngsters. It really gives them something to look forward to and is also a fantastic way for young children to learn and respect the elderly, not just within their family but also in the wider community.”

Playgroup WA is a community membership-based organisation run on a not-for-profit basis which WA has been supporting, servicing and establishing playgroups throughout WA for nearly 50 years.

The Intergenerational Playgroup Service is provided by Playgroup WA and funded by the State Government through the Department of Communities.

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