Building bonds across generations: Toray Pines welcomes weekly visits from Little Acorns

Toray Pines love engaging with the local community by hosting regular luncheons and events. We are often joined by local schools and our neighbouring nursery as well. The Little Acorns have been visiting us bi-weekly for nearly a year, and due to popular demand, we have now increased their visits to a weekly occurrence.

There are many benefits to intergenerational groups, such as:

• Energising older adults and giving them a sense of purpose, especially when sharing their experiences and skills.
• Reducing feelings of isolation for older adults and potentially alleviating depression.
• All generations learning new skills.
• Helping younger generations understand aging and face it with more positivity.
• Dispelling negative stereotypes and fostering bonding among generations.

For children and youth without grandparents or older adults in their families, engaging with seniors fills a social gap.

These connections offer a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of both groups. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and perspectives, seniors can support young people in pursuing their dreams, while also improving their own quality of life. The meaningful bond between generations has immense potential for mutual growth.

When the Little Acorns arrived on Friday, they were welcomed with open arms. Together, they created lovely autumn artwork, now displayed throughout the home and in some residents’ bedrooms.

After all their hard work, the residents joined the children for drinks and biscuits, followed by singing some well-known nursery rhymes together. While the baby group continued to charm the residents in the lounge, Jo assisted the older preschoolers on a walk around the building, visiting other residents who were unable to come to the communal room. They wished them a happy Friday, spreading cheer along the way.