Feb 2019
An Intergenerational Playgroup at OSJCT Isis House Care Home in Oxford
Isis House in Oxford, operated by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), held an intergenerational playgroup for residents and young children the care home.
In collaboration with Oxford Mumbler’s Maddy Burgess, Isis House activity co-ordinators Chanice Lyne and Maddie Pill helped to organise this engaging event across generations. The morning brought in a fabulous turnout of residents and parents and children from the local community. Activity tables and stations were placed throughout the large main hall in the home and accommodated all age ranges. Residents and the children alongside their parents interacted, conversed and played together. The morning’s activities were closed with a good old sing-a-long of nursery rhymes.
Activity Co-ordinator, Chanice Lyne commented: “We try to give our residents new experiences through various activities regularly held at Isis House. Children and the elderly have a connection and we have also found that dementia residents relate very well to the young and make an emotional link and where understanding is clear. It is also wonderful for us to help support the local community through such an event.”
She continues: “We are working closely with Maddy Burgess from Oxford Mumbler and will be hosting an activity session once a month here at the home. It gives our residents a delightful time, aids the parent child group and most of all it is lovely to see all the engagement and interaction.”
Maddy Burgess who runs the franchise Oxford Mumbler said: “I run the franchise for Oxford Mumbler and the aim is to bring children under the age of five along with their parents/carers to various activities in Oxford. The collaboration with The Orders of St John Care Trust was always a good idea because the home is so inviting and the elderly and children get on so well and through activity. Our first session was a huge success and I would like to thank both the parents and OSJCT for making this happen. We will be doing this at Isis House every first Friday of each month.”
At OSJCT, our employees are dedicated to our residents and it is very fulfilling to see them so happy and to be able to initiate experiences and support their well-being.