A baby group is being held at a Knaresborough care home in a bid to build community links between generations and combat loneliness.
Tiny Tots and Tea Cups will see elderly residents at The Manor House encouraged to sing and play with babies and toddlers.
Activities co-ordinator Katie Pickering is organising the free event with her colleague Joanne Meredith.
She was inspired after talking to a friend who had a lockdown baby, and also witnessing the positive effect of taking her children to visit her grandparents.
She said:
“We have been looking to get more involved in the local community now covid restrictions are lifting.“I had a friend who had a baby in lockdown, who said it was one of the loneliest experiences she’s had. So I thought it would be a good idea to run a parent and baby group here. People from all generations can suffer from loneliness.“Children can sometimes connect to people on a level that adults can’t. I took my daughters to see my grandparents and my grandad later told me it had been such a boost for my grandmother.”
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Katie put out a post on the Harrogate Mumbler Facebook page asking if anyone would be interested in attending.
Following a huge response, the first Tiny Tots and Tea Cups session will take place at The Manor House, Hambleton Grove, on Thursday, June 16, from 11am until 2pm.
Refreshments will be provided and there will also be baby toys and sensory items for the children, which have been cleaned and sterilised. Children up to pre-school age can attend and there is no need to book.
Katie added:
“Our only request is that parents wear a face mask, as we are a care home setting and it is still a legal requirement for us.“If the response is good and people like it, we can look to make this a regular group. So far it has all been really positive.”
