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Dragons, puppets, young & old
BaptistCare Morven Gardens with kids. Photo: Narelda Joy
Residents take to the stage at local school
to put on a show for children.
P
aper dragons and a troupe of performers from BaptistCare
Morven Gardens recently took to the stage at a nearby
public school to entertain students, as part of a calendar of
intergenerational events.
Residents from Morven Gardens, in the Blue Mountains, put
on a play based on children’s book There’s a Dragon in the
Library for students at Blackheath Public School.
Morven Gardens lifestyle co-ordinator Nellie Campbell says the
children presented a play for the aged-care centre back in June, so
the puppet show was a chance to entertain the students in return.
The residents worked for weeks to prepare for the performance,
designing props and learning lines, as well as hand-making
the puppets for the play with support from local illustrator and
puppet maker Narelda Joy and funding from Blackheath Area
Neighbourhood Centre.
Donna Dobson, residential manager at Morven Gardens, says
the residents were up early on the day of the show and there was a
sense of expectation and excitement in the facility.
The event was part of a wider effort between the aged-care
facility and the school to set up intergenerational activities.
Residents previously attended Grandparents Day and an Anzac
Day ceremony at the school. A billy cart derby is slated for later this
year, and will be followed by Christmas celebrations.
Campbell says the social interaction that occurs between the
residents and children happens naturally and is beautiful to watch.
“Working together with the students on such creative projects
gives our residents a wonderful sense of joyful freedom,” she says.
“It builds self-esteem and helps each participant feel needed and
valued. Spending time with the children can help our residents forget
about their daily challenges and feel young and enthused again.” ■
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