Spreading Joy for Generations

When my daughter was four months old, I began volunteering at my local rest home. It was so rewarding and I absolutely loved seeing the joy my baby would bring to people. She would even be the reason some people got out of bed.

Often I noticed the same people getting visitors, and the same people all alone. This broke my heart and I decided to encourage other parents to volunteer too.

Since I returned to New Zealand two years ago, I have set-up nine regular intergenerational playgroups at rest homes around the Wairarapa, and am now branching out to include those living independently at home too.

The playgroups run for one hour and include mums, dads, babies (as young as 7 weeks old), children (up to five years old), and most importantly elderly people. There is up to 60 people at a playgroup and sometimes a century between attendees!

While the groups were initially set-up to alleviate loneliness in elderly, I have seen the joy it provides to every generation. I’ve had multiple mothers tell me it’s helped with their postnatal depression, I’ve had fathers tell me it’s helped them to feel included in their community and I’ve seen so many children given love and attention.

I have been lucky enough to receive public recognition with an interview on Radio New Zealand, and TV3’s The Project. I also had the absolute pleasure of hosting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a playgroup last month, and she had the most supportive and encouraging comments for me about my work with this cause.

Children are a great form of therapy for elderly, especially those with dementia. I have witnessed people suffering from dementia, learn how to communicate again with children and totally transform. I’ve also noticed an increase in movement, people getting out of their chairs to kick a ball around and play.

Another great form of therapy is music. I have tried to combine the two, and what I’ve witnessed has been incredible! When I include music at playgroups I see people interacting so much more and a lot more connection.

I have set this initiative up as a volunteer, and have recently recruited a committee of 16 people to assist me with the development of this group and becoming an official charity/not-for-profit.

Funding would pay for more activities for the playgroups such as music. I would also like to purchase resources, print promotional material to get more people aware of these groups and plan special parties and events to ensure birthdays and Christmas is always a happy time for everyone.

Links to media publications:

TV 1

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-meets-intergenerational-playgroup-in-wairarapa-helping-alleviate-loneliness-elderly

Radio New Zealand

http://103.14.3.1/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018655135/intergenerational-playgroups-fun-for-young-and-old

Newshub

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2018/08/wairarapa-woman-creates-playgroups-for-young-and-old-to-cure-loneliness.html

Stuff.co.nz

https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/inspire-me/103535412/the-kiwi-intergenerational-playgroup-thats-gone-international