Learning And Play Bring Salisbury Generations Together

Residents at a family-owned Salisbury nursing home enjoyed a morning of fun with visitors a fraction of their ages.

Braemar Lodge in Stratford Road hosted the intergenerational visit from five children aged just 18 months to five years.

It was part of a new tie-up between the Colten Care home and Imagine This, a play-based learning group that arranges hands-on workshops.

Themed on a teddy bears’ picnic, the visit featured games, songs, decorative artwork, storytelling and banana chocolate sandwich-making.

It was so successful, the group will be returning to Braemar Lodge for regular get-togethers during 2020.

Residents at the home were full of praise after the visit.

Trish Stadward said: “What a fascinating thing to watch as the children got involved with the activities set out for them. I would like to get to know the children when they visit again as it was most interesting.”

Barbara Ryrie said: “It was a time to share a fun hour with small children and we are looking forward to many more teddy bears picnics together.”

Betty Winter said: “What fun we had joining in together to do the Hokey Cokey song. It was great fun and I would love them to come back soon.”

Jo Hanson, Companionship Team Leader at Braemar Lodge, said: “Our residents loved meeting and spending time with the children. It was a real delight to see the smiles on everyone’s faces as they played and read together. Sharing happy moments is at the very heart of what we provide for our residents and this was a great example of companionship and joy reaching across the generations.”