Farm fun for children and seniors as Council bridges age gap

Three Council facilities have teamed up to bring locals from both ends of the age spectrum together in the name of fun.

Kids that take part in Noosa Leisure Centre activities spent time with Noosa Community Support’s aged care clients on Monday, November 20, for a visit by Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farms.  Local Childcare Centre Busy Bees also took part in the fun.

“There were laughs from young and old as the two generations met a wide variety of animals from ducks and chickens to pigs, lambs and goats,” says Noosa Community Support Centre-Based Care Supervisor Geoff Brittain.

Noosa Leisure Centre, Noosa Community Support and Noosa Library Service are working together to bring the two age groups together.

“Research shows that when young children and older adults spend time together both generations benefit,” Mr Brittain says.

“Young children’s energy and enthusiasm is sure to bring a smile to even the most serious of faces, plus older Australians enjoy sharing stories and passing on their knowledge and skills to youngsters, who benefit from the additional adult role models.

“It’s a simple concept that more and more aged care and child care providers are embracing.”

Mr Brittain said the animals also offered therapeutic benefits, with studies showing that time spent bonding with an animal could help reduce a person’s stress and promote a sense of wellbeing.

Noosa Library Service is also supporting the concept. Recently Noosaville Library invited Noosa Community Support clients to take part in its children’s reading classes.

Councillor Ingrid Jackson said it was great to see Council facilities collaborating for the benefit of local senior citizens and youngsters.

“The initiative is proving very successful. It’s a great team effort to bring joy to all and to bridge the generation gap,” she said.

20 November 2017