Royal Freemasons Springtime residential aged care home has joined forces with students from Catholic Regional College in Sydenham (CRC) for an intergenerational
Program.
Year 11 and 12 CRC students recently visited the home to play board games with the residents, sing karaoke, and share gifts and stories with them.
The initiative was spearheaded by CRC student Stephen Condello, whose grandfather is a resident at Springtime.
Stephen suggested organising activities with the residents to his religious education teacher as a way of giving back to the community.
The idea has now grown into a program that will become a permanent part of the College’s community service module for applied religion.
CRC applied religious education teacher Dale Sutton said so far, the program has been a huge success with both the residents and the students.
“It helps the students to be more aware of other people in the community, to give back, and be thankful for what they have,” he said.
Next year, students will visit Springtime residents every two weeks and organise a variety of fun activities for them to enjoy.
The college will also be holding two fundraising activities next year to raise money for Springtime’s lifestyle activities program.
Springtime facility manager Kristy Lim said it has been wonderful to see the older and younger generations come together.
“Our residents have absolutely loved spending time with the students. We are also very grateful for CRC’s commitment to fundraise for our home next year. We look forward to continuing and growing the partnership to find different ways to create meaningful outcomes for residents and greater connection between generations,” she said.
