St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock students have been visiting residents at Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community over the past eight weeks as part of the Young At Heart program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Each week a busload of students from kindergarten to Year 4 perform songs and dances at the aged care facility, and read books and their own stories to the residents.
The children also visit the dementia lodges of the site and the residents enjoy the interactions.
According to Alzheimer’s Australia, contact with babies, children or animals provides positive feelings for people with dementia.
The intergenerational relationship between St Philip’s and Calvary Cessnock has been growing across various projects for the past three years.
St Philip’s head of junior school Margaret Pond said it has been a great learning experience for the students and the residents.
“They have learnt so much from each other, especially when it comes time to ask about life in the past and present,” she said.
“Their behaviour has been outstanding and the way they have connected and embraced the residents has been amazing.
“Our students are certainly displaying our college core values of serving one another and building community.”
Calvary Cessnock general manager Kristin Smith said it has been wonderful to see so much interaction between the children and residents.
“It’s such unconditional sharing of affection and is beautiful to watch,” she said.
“Our residents love interacting with the local community and these visits have become a highlight in our activities program.”