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At the beginning of March, LinkAge’s Henbury and Brentry Hub held its first ever toddler and older people Intergenerational session. LinkAge worked with local partner organisation Bristol Charities, who run the Barstaple Day Centre in Brentry, to bring a group of pre-schoolers and their parents into the day centre, to do a music and movement class.
Over 30 local mum and dads showed interest in attending the first session, however to avoid potential chaos, we decided to limit it to just 10 toddlers. We also had an amazing offer from Sarah Snook, of Moo-Music (an interactive music class for 0-5 year olds) to lead a 30 minute music and movement session, which both the children and older people could take part in.
This Intergenerational session was the first of its kind for LinkAge and so there were nerves and worries as too whether the two generations would interact, but most importantly have fun.
On the day, it was quickly made clear that the session would be a success, with all of the children and older people interacting and getting involved. The Day Centre was soon filled with lots of singing, dancing, clapping and bubble popping from the 20 older people and 10 toddlers.
At the end of the session, the children had the opportunity to spend time playing in the room. A lot of the toddlers chose to go and meet the older people and we even saw three year old Lillia, help Day Centre regular Lizzie, with her puzzle!
The staff at the Day Centre said that the older people could not stop smiling and one of the older people even said that it was wonderful to spend time with little ones, as they had not spent any time with children in over a decade.
We would like to say a huge thank you, to all of the parents and children for bringing so much fun into the Barstaple Day Centre and we have high hopes that this Intergenerational session will become a regular monthly event, so watch this space.
For more information on activities and events in the Henbury and Brentry Hub, please contact 0117 950 7160.