An unlikely friendship between a Carnsworth Community resident and a kinder pupil has made headlines across the nation.
Since the start of the school year, when five-year-old Jude met 79-year-old resident Dobbie, the two have been inseparable, with Jude sticking by Dobbie’s side every week during kinder class.
Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator Vindhya Mendis said every week when Jude arrived, he would look for Dobbie, give her a big hug and play games with her.
“He even brought his dad in and introduced him to Dobbie one morning,” she said.
Since mid last year, Carnsworth residents have been participating in the intergenerational program with nearby Davis Street Kindergarten, where kinder class is held within the grounds of Carnsworth on Wednesdays.
The kinder visit and the friendship between Dobbie and Jude featured in a special story by senior Seven Network journalist Nick McCallum.
Two versions of the story was broadcast across the nation, providing worthy recognition of the program.
Vindhya said the Wednesday visits had proved beneficial for both residents and children since the program commenced.
“Many of our residents feel more energised, empowered and part of the wider community with the children around,” she said.
“They play games, musical statues, paint, build blocks, do puzzles and share stories with each other.
“The children teach our residents games on the iPad and one resident with dementia even wrote his own name for the first time in five years.”
CEO Andrew Kinnersly said as UA strengthened its lifestyle and activities programs, it was hoped the intergenerational program would delay a decline in cognitive function and enable residents to remain connected to the community.
It is a beautiful thing to watch the children interact with our residents through activities and see them enjoy each other’s company, building trust and friendships.
“We have seen really positive changes in our residents and have also seen the children’s confidence grow as new relationships are developed.”
To view the Melbourne version of the news report, featuring interviews with Jude and other Carnsworth residents, visit our Facebook page.
