A Noosa Shire Council, Queensland, initiative is bringing residents from both ends of the age spectrum together for a morning of laughs and intergenerational camaraderie.
Busy Bees Kindergarten children visited Noosa Community Support (NCS), where they were gifted handmade wooden toys, including cars, planes, prams and chairs.
NCS Centre Care Supervisor, Geoff Brittain, said, “Our NCS clients under the guidance of volunteer Steve McEwan have been busy making wooden toys for the children and they were thrilled to see their smiles when they received them.
“The children joined our clients in activities, and we are looking to build regular visits into our future monthly activities program. We know from past experience that both our clients and the Busy Bees children enjoy each other’s company and interaction”.
It follows last year’s event where NCS clients and children from Noosa Leisure Centre activities and Busy Bees got together to meet cuddly animals from Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farm.
Mr Brittain said research showed that when young children and older adults spent time together there were benefits for both generations.
“Older people often enjoy the opportunity to pass on their skills and wisdom to youngsters, who benefit from additional role models.
“Some of the other benefits include helping to reduce depression and feelings of social isolation among the elderly. And for children who don’t have regular contact with their own grandparents, meeting other older people can help fill that void,” Mr Brittain said.
