InterGen Playgroups

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS, ALL INTERGENERATIONAL PLAYGROUPS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED. 

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”
- Playwright, George Bernard Shaw.

InterGen Playgroups, are fast becoming a favourite playgroup for families and communities around Australia. While sharing a similar approach to regular Community Playgroups, Intergenerational Play offers something extra special. Through partnerships with aged care services, retirement villages and seniors’ groups – InterGen Playgroups are bridging generational gaps to reduce isolation and ageism within local communities. By inviting children, parents, grandparents and caregivers to join together with local residents, Playgroup SA along with Playgroup Australia are endeavouring to drive change and bring people from all walks of life together to create a village through play.

What is Intergenerational Play?

Playgroups are a fun, safe and educational way for children, parents and carers to come together on a weekly basis to engage in play-based learning. This play-based learning provides a solid foundation for all children to facilitate their wellbeing and holistic development. However, InterGen Playgroups are a unique Playgroup model where the young and young at heart, join together for a Playgroup session for important social interaction. The InterGen Playgroups are a vital opportunity for parents, children and residents to engage in childhood activities together. These Playgroups create opportunities for children to further develop their skills, parents to create a local peer support network and provide isolated residents with vital community interaction.

Why an InterGen Playgroup?

Research suggests that Intergenerational Playgroups improve outcomes and quality of life for older people, particularly those experiencing:

• Isolation/loneliness
• Dementia
• Disengagement from community

There are a number of studies that have been conducted on Intergenerational Playgroups and the benefits for aged care residents and attending families.

Research by Skropeta C M, Colvin A and Sladen S (2014)* into participation benefits included the following outcomes for older residents:

• Increase in dignity, particularly with residents who have dementia
• Increase in longer lasting joy and happiness
• Higher levels of self-esteem
• More active participation in the community

The need and benefits extend beyond those of the older person to the parents/caregivers and children within the playgroup. Where parents, grandparents and great-grandparents of attending families may have passed or who do not live locally, the Playgroup provides them with the opportunity to engage and interact with older people and provides a safe and fun environment for positive shared experiences.

*Source:Skropeta C M, Colvin A and Sladen S, 2014, An evaluative study of the benefits of participating in intergenerational playgroups in aged care for older people, BMC Geriatrics. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/14/109

Intergenerational Brochure

Boandik Lake Tce Playgroup

Tuesday's from 9.30am to 11.00am
(School Term Only)
Boandik Lodge Aged Care - Ashworth Lounge
101 Lake Terrace East, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Contact:

Debbie - 8725 7377​

Boandik St Mary's Playgroup

Wednesday's from 10.30am to 11.30am
(School Term Only)
Boandik Lodge Aged Care
71 Boandik Terrace, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Contact:

Cindy - 8724 1200

Boandik Crouch Street Playgroup

Wednesday's from 10.15am to 11.15am
(School Term Only)
Boandik Lodge Aged Care
26 Crouch Street, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Contact:

Gillian - 8725 4911​

Highercombe Intergenerational Playgroup

Tuesday's from 10.00am to 11.30am
(School Term Only)
ACH Group Highercombe
5-11 Sirius Avenue, Hope Valley SA 5090

Contact:

Sarah - 8397 1693​

Tot's at Dot's

Monday's from 10.00am to 11.30am
(School Term Only)
Alwyndor Aged Care
52 Dunrobin Road, Hove SA 5048

Contact:

Joanne - 0435 392 134

Kalyra Playgroup

Wednesday's from 10.00am to 11.30am
(Meet in School Holidays)
Kalyra Belair Aged Care Facility
2 Kalyra Road, Belair SA 5052

Contact:

Fiona - 8278 5444

Holly Tots Playgroup

Tuesday's from 10.30am to 11.45am
(Meet in School Holidays)
Holly Aged Care 
16-24 Penneys Hill Road, Hackham SA 5163

Contact:

Sharyn - 8392 6700

Little Elders Playgroup

Wednesday's from 9.30am to 11.00am
(School Term Only)
Evanston Home Eldercare
17 Morrow Avenue, Evanston Park SA 5116

Contact:

Leeanne - 8521 2222

Carmelite Cubs Playgroup

Wednesday's from 10.00am to 11.30am
(School Term Only)
Carmelite - Southern Cross Care
7 Spence Ave, Myrtle bank SA 5064

Contact:

Annette - 7077 2000

Bucky Bunnies Playgroup

Tuesday's from 10.30am to 11.30am
(Fortnightly)
Bucklands Southern Cross Care
333 Marion Road, North Plympton SA 5037

Contact:

Gabrielle - 0428 469 040

Porcu Pines Playgroup

Thursday's from 10.30am to 11.30am
(Fortnightly)
The Pines Lodge - Southern Cross Care
342 Marion Road, North Plympton SA 5037

Contact:

Gabrielle - 0428 469 040

Trevu Playgroup

Friday's from 10.30am to 11.30am
(School Term Only)
Trevu House
1-3 Deland Ave, Gawler East SA 5118

Contact:

Nadia - 8522 1045

Bellevue Buds and Blossoms Playgroup

Tuesday's from 10.00am to 11.30am
(School Term Only)
Bellevue Court - Southern Cross Care
9 Bellevue Court, Gawler East SA 5118

Contact:

Ella - 0439 828 476

For more information