By PEACE IJIYERA
THE only intergenerational playgroup in Latrobe City was launched earlier this month at Respect, Mitchell House Morwell.
Ran by Playgroup Victoria, the aim of the sessions are to create a fun and inviting space for carers, children and the elderly to connect, learn and grow.
On the launch day, six children, along with their parents, and six residents of Mitchell House, came together for a session of singing, reading and playing.
The session began with a rendition of the nursery rhyme, ‘open, shut them’, then a show and tell presentation, before children were free to participate in activities with residents.
Photographs: Peace Ijiyera
Activities like moulding playdoh, building blocks, and creating masks were available for children and residents to enjoy.
A federally funded program, Playgroup Victoria will run the sessions every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am for Term 1, before handing the reigns over to the Mitchell House staff, who will keep the program running in its own capacity.
Playgroup Victoria Manager of Development and Support, Leanne Dhami said the playgroup works as a “community development approach”.
Ms Dhami added that the playgroup “values and respects each stage of life through organic interaction”.
“We come together and learn from each other,” she said.
As much as the playgroup is for children, Ms Dhami suggests it’s more for the parents, explaining how parents and carers need a space to relax and connect with each other.
“Healthy parents raise healthy and resilient children,” she said.
Playgroup leader Sascha Reese-Sharam is thrilled about the sessions and
“very excited to see more families come”.
Describing the partnership with Mitchell House as “great”, she is keen to show people that programs like these “can be done”.
The residents were delighted to host their little visitors.
Resident Cora said that “it was good to see the young ones”.
Resident John said it was a “good afternoon” and that he was looking forward to more sessions.
As Ms Reese-Sharam said, “everyone left with a smile”, and that’s what it’s all about.
To register, visit: https://playgroupvic.typeform.com/Mitchell-House
