Paints and playdough for intergenerational sensory session

PAINTING and playdough gave elderly care home residents a new lease of life when they visited a nursery in Stockton-on-Tees.

Residents from Ingleby Care Home were at Busy Bees Nursery, Myton Road, Thornaby, for an intergenerational sensory session with the children.

The youngsters, all aged two to four years, showed residents how to build sandcastles and make pizzas out of playdough, broccoli, asparagus and red lentils.

They also played with toys in the pond and painted on a clingfilm canvas using brushes and their hands.

Resident Shirley Naylor, 84, said: “I loved having little Heidi on my knee dancing away.”

Margaret Salmon, 93, said: “It was lovely. It really brightened my day.”

Moira Hall, 76, added: “I don’t want to go home, I’m having so much fun.”

Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, said: “The residents always thoroughly enjoy it when the children come to visit us at the care home.

“They were all really looking forward to going to the nursery this time, to see the children and take part in a sensory day.

“Everyone had a lot of fun and didn’t want to leave at the end. We are planning a picnic in the park with the children later in the year, so we can’t wait to see them again.”