Foster children have been spending time with care home residents, as part of a scheme to bring young and elderly together.
Children from fostering agency Team Fostering have been visiting Broadacres Care Home, Rotherham, as part of the initiative.
The home has invited them back for future events and activities after spending several hours with residents over the festive period.
The young and elderly played board games, pass the parcel, read poems and books together, performed songs and took part in a quiz.
Resident Iris Oldfield, 89, said: “I don’t have a young family so I was absolutely delighted to spend time with the young children.”
Julie Eveleigh, interim manager at Broadacres Care Home, said: “Team Fostering approached us to bring the children in to entertain our residents. They put on a buffet and kept the residents company with games, music and dancing.
“The experience had huge benefits for both the residents and children and we’re hoping there will be many more visits in the future.”
Steve Elliff, education and support service manager for Team Fostering, said: “Team Fostering set up the volunteers programme in order to help young people develop skills and gain new experiences, which will be useful for future employment. Our young people showed interest in supporting older people, which led us to contacting Broadacres Care Home.
“On the day, they showed a lot of enthusiasm for putting on a good party and engaging with the older people. They all worked extremely hard and took a lot away from the experience.”
