Intergenerational Activities Service - Connecting Generations Through Play

What's On: Opportunities to participate in Intergenerational Activities can be found here.

Intergenerational playgroups add a third generation to the mix by including seniors.

Playgroup sessions usually include all the normal fun of play, craft and other experiences, stories, songs, mornings tea or other shared snack time and well as time for chatting and catching up. Families do not need to be related to the seniors; they just need to be open to making new friendships and having fun together.

There are a lot of great reasons to participate in intergenerational activities:

Benefits for seniors

Participating in an intergenerational playgroup can provide an opportunity for senior members of the community to:

• Feel a sense of being valued as a 'resource' to young families
• Connect with and spend time with their own extended families or other families within the local community
• Feel more involved and included in the community and with other people
• Experience a stronger sense of self-esteem through having a meaningful, valued role within the community
• Experience enhanced wellbeing through fun and friendships

 Benefits for Families

• Intergenerational playgroups provide an opportunity for families to add a new dimension to life experiences
• Introduce older people into the lives of young families who may otherwise have little interaction with seniors and older family members
• Facilitate friendships and relationships across generations
• Build connection to their community and an increased sense of responsibility for others in their community
• Offer opportunities to broaden life experiences, understanding and acceptance of others
• Learn from seniors attending the playgroup

Benefits for service providers and organisations

Including an intergenerational playgroup can assist organisations to:

• Connect its services with the local community
• Experience enriched opportunities for learning more about participants in their service
• Implement a wellbeing person-centred approach with older persons in their care
• Expand the skills and experience of staff through working with families and young children as well as seniors

Here are some ways to get involved: