Care home playgroup brings 'tears of joy'

7 hours ago

Ash Geaney,Nottinghamand

Greig Watson,Nottingham

News image — The group is hosted by a number of care homes around the Nottingham area

BBC Living room area in the care home, with children and toys on the floor and parents and residents looking on from chairs — The group is hosted by a number of care homes around the Nottingham area

A playgroup which holds sessions in a care homes brings "tears of joy", those taking part have said.

The Bits and Bobs Baby Playgroup visits care homes in areas in and around Nottingham including Arnold, West Bridgford and Carlton where parents and babies meet residents.

All generations said they benefit from the free sessions, boosting confidence in children, giving parents support and allowing the older people to interact with visitors.

Playgroup organiser Emma Ragg said: "Every session I promise I am not going to cry and I still do."

Lucy, holding Alfie, both looking at the camera — Lucy said the playgroup had helped her son Alfie become more confident

The hour-long sessions are held once or twice a week in various locations, including Rivendell View Care Home, in Stoke Bardolf.

Lucy, 26, has been bringing four-month-old Alfie since he was three weeks old.

She said: "It's helped Alfie's confidence. He is more than happy to be passed around the residents and interact with them.

"Because he started so young he is just used to it now and it has become second nature for him."

Xina, 43, mother to Cassian, two, said: "I think this is the best playgroup we go to because he gets to talk to everyone.

"The older generation are good for him because they play gently and they give them their full attention."

Resident Doris Robertson, where a loose hat, sitting in a chair looking at the camera — Resident Doris Robertson said the sessions were her favourite part of the week

Doris Robertson, 83, said: "I love to see them play their games and it reminds me when mine were young.

"I don't have grandchildren so it is lovely to sit here with the children, it's my favourite part of the week."

Rita Brookes, 88, said: "I always enjoy the session and seeing the children is beautiful.

"I've got great grandchildren but I don't see them very often and this gives me tears of joy."

Emma Wragg, wearing a 'Bits and Bobs' t-shirt, looking at the camera — Emma Wragg, who runs the playgroup, said some families now visited homes independently

Organiser Emma Wragg said the benefits went both ways.

"I get emotional in every session," she added. "Watching residents who have cognitive impairments come and interact and actually engage in a session, just makes me melt.

"Every session I promise I am not going to cry and I still do.

"Some of these residents might not have interaction with anybody and yet they can come down and sing songs and play with toys and even help me to pack away.

"Some residents don't get visitors and this has given them someone who visits them every week.

"We have families who now visit residents independently and I've had parents that have come up to me and said 'My children don't have grandparents so this is a fantastic way for them to create bonds and memories with the older generation," she said.

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