The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Holbeach Hospital has been inviting young people to come in and play with some of their more elderly residents.
The Inter-Generation Sessions are the brainchild of activities coordinators Maggie Ward and Jackie White.
Young people are being invited to take part in activities and talk to the older people.
Jackie White: It’s something I’ve been interested in for ages. In the USA they tend to share day care facilities and the benefits for both are amazing. Britain is waking up to this.
Peter Mattless (82) and Joseph King 88 with activities co-ordinators Jackie White and Maggie Ward.
“To begin with the residents were a little sceptical but as the sessions went on they’ve loved it.
“One lady told me she loved it as she’d learned so much.
“We got the interaction we wanted and it worked really well.
“We’re going to try and make some links with local primary schools to make the sessions even more regular.”
One resident, Peter Matless (82), said of his experience of a session: “It was very good and I enjoyed interacting with the kids.”
South Holland District Councillor Tracey Carter helped provide funding for the sessions.
She said: “The hospital’s been fabulous. We want to keep increasing sessions and I strongly support it.
“The benefits for the young and the elderly are huge. It’s been great to be involved in it.”
