Fun for all ages

Like many others, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this week’s Channel 4 documentary ‘Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds’. The touching interactions really brought to life the true joy of intergenerational relationships. It is so important children have a relationship with the older generation. It is equally important the older generation can benefit from the infectious spirit of the youngest generation.

Through our experience at Contact the Elderly, we know of many lovely friendships formed between our guests, who are older people who live alone, and the children of our volunteer hosts. The children love hearing our guests’ stories and the older people in return love the opportunity to play with the children.

Many of our lives are so busy, particularly for those of us with family schedules and commitments to balance on top of everything else. Parents may feel like they do not have the spare time to consider volunteering but we would like to encourage families to consider hosting one of our tea parties as an activity everyone can get involved with. Our hosts welcome groups just once or twice a year so it is a very small time commitment but the experience of that day will have an immeasurable impact on everyone from the very youngest to the very oldest person in attendance.

MORNA O’ MAY Head of Service – Scotland Contact the Elderly The Acres, Kippen