Young, young at heart get play dates

Without her grandchildren living close by, Bunbury resident Joyce Headley has found a new way to have contact with young families and pass on her knowledge acquired during her time as a teacher’s assistant.

Playgroup WA has started a new intergenerational playgroup at Hudson Road Family Centre in Bunbury where seniors can engage with families with children under five years of age. Playgroup WA South West development officer Karen Collins said intergenerational play benefited everyone involved.

“The families get that extra support of a person who’s got lots of time and an interest in being around young children, ” she said.

“For seniors, sometimes their own family is on the other side of the world or country, so having that contact with young families means they can utilise the wisdom and knowledge.”

Other intergenerational playgroups in Bunbury have been running at Elanora Villas and Wattle Hill Lodge but the Hudson Road Family Centre group is the first to be run at a community centre.

“Playgroup WA has received funding from the Department of Communities to encourage seniors to be involved in our playgroups, ” Mrs Collins said.

“I think it’s good value for our community to have that contact with seniors. We wanted to have it in a community centre so anyone can be a part of the playgroup.”

Anyone interested in joining the intergenerational playgroup can attend the sessions at Hudson Road Family Centre from 9.30am to 11.30am on Wednesdays.