The Gowrie Family and Community Centre bridging the generation gap

THE Gowrie Family and Community Centre is trying to build bridges between generations.

The Karawara-based family centre identified intergenerational opportunities for the young and ‘young at heart’ through the Young at Heart program.

Beginning at the start of this year, the program runs every second month and involves residents from Meath Care in Como joining children from the Lady Gowrie Child Care Centre for a range of activities.

The sessions usually last an hour, and in that time very special bonds are born and nurtured.

The seniors take part in many activities and experiences with the children including games, sandcastles in the sand pit, drawing and painting, clapping and singing along to songs, and playing musical instruments.

Gowrie chief executive officer Tonia Westmore said you could the joy in the eyes of the Meath Care residents and the joy was reciprocated.

“Young at Heart is a wonderful program offering seniors, grandparents and children the opportunity to interact in an inviting environment that is safe and secure,” she said.

“The benefits for the children and our visitors is hard to put in to words, and may best be described by the smiles on everyone’s faces”