“I think there’s something very natural about bringing young children and older people together, and yet in the UK it’s no longer the norm. » Helen Piddthe editor of the Guardian for the north of England, says Nosheen Iqbal.
Is the UK not enjoying the benefits of intergenerational living? Helen visits Belong Chester, a multi-generational care home in Chester city centre. Sue Egersdorff, co-founder of the charity Ready Generations, which runs the Belong nursery, tells Helen that many residents are reserved when they arrive but blossom when they make friends with the children of the crib.
“The kids come in and you actually see them, their whole body, unfold,” Egersdorff says.
Helen meets residents with dementia and those who care for them and discovers the benefits of the environment for older residents and for children in the nursery.
“I think what kids really gain is that they have access to a whole community of incredibly patient and supportive older people who do things at a slower pace, which is perfect for kids who have often need a little more time and maybe they do. you need to calm down a little. »
Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian
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