Hallmark Care Homes Foundation and charity London Play have announced that their first ‘Play Garden’ will be installed at the provider’s Midford Manor home.
The announcement coincides with Global Intergenerational Week, which runs from Monday 25 April to Sunday 1 May. When Midford Manor, Bath, opens in June, it is hoped that the Play Garden will offer the perfect setting for older people and children to come together.
The design of the ground-breaking new garden will see residents’ memories of their childhood play experiences being incorporated into the finished design alongside ideas gleaned from a 'Design your own playground' competition currently running in schools. Older people’s reminiscences will be recorded in a ‘Book of Midford Manor Play Memories’ that will be housed within the play structure for residents to read to younger visitors.
Hallmark and London Play hope that the Midford Manor Play Garden will be the first of many across the country – bringing benefits to young and old people alike. Studies have shown that children who regularly mix with older people see a positive effect on their reading, social skills, and language development, while older people are less likely to suffer loneliness, and will enjoy palpable benefits to their mental and physical health, as a result of mixing with young people.
Paul Hocker, director of London Play, said: “Every future Play Garden will have the imprint of childhoods past while offering a new generation a place to create their own play memories, in the company of their much-loved older family members.”
Hallmark Foundation CEO Stephen Burke said: “We are delighted to fund London Play to create the country’s first Play Garden. It will promote intergenerational interaction in the new care home and encourage a family friendly environment where children will love visiting their older relatives. It’s a win-win for all generations and we hope it will encourage other care homes to use their outdoor space creatively.”
Carol Britton, general manager of Midford Manor, commented: “A Play Garden will be invaluable to our residents and their families, it will encourage families to come more often and the visit will be a more pleasant and enjoyable one. We are delighted that Hallmark are pushing the boundaries and raising the bar and that we will have the opportunity to add a new and exciting level of innovative engagement to and with our local community. Making care homes accessible and inviting for all generations is absolutely imperative.”
