It takes a village, they say, to raise children. And in one tiny part of England, a new experiment in how we take care of each other as we start out in life and in our golden years is taking place.
Belong, a nonprofit specializing in dementia care, has pioneered an innovative approach in one of its senior homes. Nestled within the walls of a purpose-built complex lies a day nursery, where tiny tots and wise elders meet each day to help one another grow and learn..
“The integration here, between the sick, elderly people, the infirm, the children, is the full works: we are all here together. This is what life is about,” says Iain Wheelton, an 84-year-old RAF veteran.
Residents join the nursery’s toddlers for singing. Photo by Fabio De Paola/The Guardian
The concept is simple yet profound: by intertwining the lives of preschoolers with those of seniors, Belong aims to enrich the daily experiences of both generations. From shared meals to playful activities, the interactions between the young and old foster a sense of belonging and purpose.
Recently, the village welcomed esteemed guests to celebrate its official opening, marking a milestone in the journey of communal care. Among the attendees was the Lord Mayor of Cheshire, Sheila Little, who praised the initiative for its innovative spirit and tangible benefits for all involved.
This is a particularly exciting and innovative development as it includes a nursery, which benefits both the children who attend and the residents,” Little said.
At the heart of this pioneering endeavor is Bill Wall, affectionately known as “our Bill” to the children. Despite his struggles with speech, Bill’s presence exudes warmth and companionship, bridging the gap between generations with a simple smile or encouraging gesture.
With the children, Wall doesn’t need words to communicate with the children. One of his favorite lunch buddy is is Jacob Farrell-Ogunyemi. His mom, Maeve Farrell, said these visits help Jacob not be so lonely after their family moved to the area. “We don’t have any family here. So I was mindful of Jacob missing out on that and how much you can learn from people of different ages.”
Ralph Barnes and Sam Mort, a nursery staff member, take a group of toddlers on a walk. Photo by Fabio De Paola/The Guardian
Even the residents are enjoying the new relationships they are building. “I’ve got more friends than before,” shared Alan Hyde, whose wife, Diana, is living with Alzheimer’s. “I’ve got more friends than before. Not long ago I went back to the village where we used to live, to take Diana to the hairdressers, and they said: ‘You’re looking much happier now.’”
“The children light up if they see Diana pass.” Earlier this year Diana was in hospital after having a stroke and breaking her arm. When the children saw Alan, “they said to me: ‘Alan, where’s Diana?’” he said, smiling.
The impact of this intergenerational bond is profound, transcending the confines of age or ailment. For Maeve Farrell, a teacher and mother, seeing her son Jacob thrive in this nurturing environment reaffirms the importance of such connections in today’s fragmented world.
“Some of them use a wheelchair, some have limited speech or communication, and I think it has made Jacob more empathic,” Farrell said.
Even the older residents are experiencing changes. It’s remarkable, Egersdorff said. “We call it unfurling. We see it in some of our older people. When they arrive, they are a bit closed down. Then the children arrive and you can actually see their whole body unfurl.” The residents are overjoyed by their new friends. “This is what life is about,” Wheelton said. “I love the children.” Watch below for a look inside this wonderful senior living facility.
Sources: The Guardian | Good News Network
