Age was no barrier for a class of Jesmond preschoolers and some Merewether seniors who kickstarted an 'Adopt a Grand-buddy' program in the Hunter on Wednesday.
The oldies and little ones came together for the connecting generations initiative, which focuses on safety awareness, injury prevention and social connectedness among two of Australia's most vulnerable and injury prone demographics.
The 12 month program is run by the KIDS Foundation and is being rolled out to 65 early education childhood centres and aged care homes thanks to a $81,000 grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
In the first of those programs, residents from Anglican Care's Scenic Lodge Residential Aged Care Home visited Jesmond Early Education Centre to meet their new friends.
Aged care resident Eve Taylor's grandkids are now in their 30s and she doesn't have great-grandchildren, so she couldn't stop smiling after the meet and greet.
"It's been so long since I've had any contact with little ones," she said. "They are just so beautiful, one gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"I just loved listening to them chatter with their little voices, the things they come out with are so funny."
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KIDS Foundation Chief Operating Officer Janine Buesnel said the idea was to reduce isolation and create positive relationships.
"We've found with a lot of the aged care facilities being separated from the community and their families sadly to now be able to have them out visiting is huge," she said. "To come out and interact with kids in a COVID safe way is fabulous for their own wellbeing and joy and to decrease that loneliness.
"The kids also learn to have that interaction with someone who has come into their safe zone. Some of these kids don't have grandparents that are near them sadly. What we've found is those who don't have a grandparent role model around them, they really embrace and interact with the oldies."
Anglican Care lifestyle, wellbeing and diversity manager Jane Meldrum said during last year's lockdown residents were able to use Skype and Zoom, but it wasn't the same as face to face.
"Some of our residents don't have children visit, especially during COVID. Some have families out of state or overseas so this is really lovely for them.
"I think they really engaged with the preschools students. We actually had a preschool teacher in our group today and it brought back a lot of memories."
Jesmond Early Education Centre director Karen Murnane said the centre used to visit another aged care home, but that had to stop during lockdown.
"We missed it a lot because we were starting to build a nice relationship and you could just see their faces - they were so happy and excited to see us. It just made their day and even the children, they just loved showing off, singing songs.
"It's really special for them to understand there are different relationships with different ages."
