International Picnic Day Brings Young And Elderly Together

CARE home residents and nursery children enjoyed a trip to the park together to mark International Picnic Day.

Residents from Ingleby Care Home and children from Busy Bees Nursery, both in Ingleby Barwick, near Middlesbrough, shared a day out at Romano Park.

Despite the eight decades between them, both the youngsters and elderly enjoyed playing on the swings together between tucking into their packed lunches.

The two groups have shared multiple activity sessions over the past year, as part of a scheme aimed at bridging the intergenerational gap.

Resident Joyce Muir, 83, has visited the nursery on several occasions and has welcomed the children, aged between three and four, during visits to the care home.

She said: “I really didn’t think I would still be able to have a go on the swings but I really enjoyed it. Seeing the children made my day. I loved being able to push Ellis on the swings.”

Resident Audrey McCabe, 91, said: “I had a wonderful day out and having the children there made it even better.”

Kirsty Walsh, activities coordinator at Ingleby Care Home, said: “We have created such a wonderful relationship between the children and residents. It’s just amazing everyone has become friends.

“The rain held off so we could enjoy it in the park and seeing the residents and children enjoying the swings was just wonderful.”