Supporter Autumn 2023
Fun and learning
While that social connectedness is a significant and positive factor for older people, it is also an effective learning and development tool for children. Some of the benefits identified in Australian studies include learning and communication skills, as well as language development and following instructions. For playgroup participant Alice, it was an opportunity to work alongside her young friend Patrick, decorating and making musical instruments, laughing that she’ll take them back to share
Alice and Patrick enjoyed the intergenerational playgroup
with her regular choir friends. “This is the first time I’ve done something like this,” said Alice.
“In the sessions we’ve designed a lot of craft activities,” Alicia explains. “Activities that both the older adults and young children can participate in, help each other with and work together on. “One of the activities was partnering up an older person and young child and they drew portraits of each other. “They helped each other out with their drawings and then they presented to each other at the end.” While the intergenerational playgroups are a lot of fun, these types of interactions and sessions also deliver many other benefits, including increased social connectedness and improved relationships for older people.
An intergenerational playgroup trial has harnessed the benefits of occupational therapy to support some of AnglicareSA’s oldest and youngest customers. Occupational Therapy graduates Alicia and Hannah created the playgroup as part of their new graduate program with AnglicareSA, bringing together aged care customers and young children from the Daphne Street Early Learning Centre. With a mixture of arts and craft, music and song, the three trial sessions held at the Prospect Library at the end of 2022 have the potential to become a broader playgroup experience following a review.
“I’m normally quite busy out and about with things like my choir, but I’m glad I came because children are great. “I have grandkids and you just let them come to you on their terms and in their own time, but you can always get along with them.” With the trial sessions completed, Alicia says an evaluation of the playgroup project results will take place with a final report bringing the outcomes together. “In terms of feasibility for AnglicareSA moving forward, hopefully we can foster this pilot project, move it forward and continue it on into the future.”
Early ‘bun-der-ful’ Easter delivery Easter arrived early at the Magdalene Centre with the delivery in February of 540 hot cross buns thanks to Kytons Bakery.
AnglicareSA Executive General Manager Community Services, Nancy Penna, said the thoughtful donation by Kytons Bakery not only fed hungry mouths but helped make South Australians facing tough times feel special and valued. “Our six Emergency Assistance hubs continue to see an increase in need within our community as the cost of living continues to rise,” said Ms Penna.
The delicious buns were distributed to AnglicareSA’s emergency assistance customers. “We know that many people are finding life tough out there at the moment,” said owner of Kytons Bakery Sharon Sutton. “So, we thought we would spread some ‘bun-der-ful’ love out there as we launch into our busiest season of the year.”
Kyton Bakery’s Sharon Sutton and AnglicareSA’s Nancy Penna
“Almost half of those seeking help are families with children.”
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