Children at Tops Day Nurseries in Winchester have reached out to residents at St Catherine’s View Care home this Autumn.
Many studies have concluded that social interaction between children and elderly cannot only decrease loneliness in the older generation, but can also delay mental decline as well as promote a number of health benefits including reducing frailty.
There are also a number of benefits to children including increased confidence, risk-taking and the opportunity to mix regularly with elderly people, which some children may not have the chance to do on a regular basis.
Simon Evans, Senior Nursery Manager of Tops Winchester, which is based at Royal Hampshire County Hospital said “Before lockdown, children across the nursery were due to go and visit the residents at St Catherine’s View Care Home in Winchester, however, due to current restrictions this has been unable to happen. We used to visit the residents on a regular basis and it is an activity the children have really missed.
To let the residents know we are still thinking of them and looking forward to visiting as soon as we can, the children have created pictures for the residents which will be delivered with another special surprise, a Scarecrow!”
Simon continued “risk assessments were in place to minimise risk of infection and everything was steamed before being handed over, but we really just wanted to share the message to stay safe, stay happy and that we couldn’t wait to come back and play soon!”
Tops Winchester introduced a ‘Joining Generations’ programme back in 2018, which meant all children attending the setting have the opportunity to visit St Catherine’s View Care Home to interact with the residents there, but it is not just the children that miss these visits. The residents were delighted to receive the pictures from Tops Winchester and have added the scarecrow to their Autumnal display.
Our Winchester nursery and preschool is based on-site at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Tops Day Nursery Winchester is an official Gender_Action Supporter. Our Nursery is committed to promoting gender equity and making sure no child’s choice is limited by gendered stereotypes. Teaching the next generation about sustainability is a passion shared across the Tops family, we are delighted to be working with Plastic Free Winchester and Surfers Against Sewage to become a plastic-free business champion. Tops Winchester will be open throughout the second lockdown, click here to find out more and arrange a visit.
