Childrens’ visits bridge generation gap

A storytelling group is helping to turn Monday mornings into eagerly anticipated times of fun and interaction for our residents

We have begun welcoming a weekly visit from young mums and toddlers co-ordinated by the charity Truth Be Told.

Our carers at the home say it is an ideal opportunity to bridge the generation gap and improve residents’ quality of life while providing children aged four and under with meaningful play and experience of older people.

Visits, led by Truth Be Told representative Faye Davis, involve reading and telling stories, swapping and sharing props and singing songs with actions to perform.

Our Companionship Team member Ann Marie Knight said: “It is just lovely seeing this group interact so well together. Everyone is happy, smiling and laughing.

“Our residents get so much out of Truth Be Told coming into our home as do the mums and toddlers. The youngest to have come in with the group so far has been only three weeks old.”

The visits have a different theme each week to cultivate ongoing interest and residents wear a name badge to help them become familiar to the group.

Ann Marie said: “We try to keep to the same residents each week so that the children and families get to know them and form a good relationship.”

Resident Joan Vohra said: “The visits are great fun and we always look forward to them.”

Fernhill, has chosen Truth Be Told as its charity of the year for 2023.

Residents and staff will be raising funds to support the group through activities such as craft sales and other events at the home.

Truth Be Told is an innovative community-led social action project founded by professional storyteller Gemma Gillard.

Its stated aim is to ‘restore intergenerational community which will improve the mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of everyone involved’.