Seniors and toddlers played and colored today at residential and care location De Schutse and playgroup De Rollebol in Coevorden. This happened for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.
Both locations are in the same building. That is because childcare wants to undertake activities with the elderly. Before the pandemic broke out, it was a weekly activity to dance, sing, play and walk together, including in the adjacent Van Heutszpark.
According to activity supervisor Rina Sommer, it is a nice interaction between the elderly and the children. “People are moving unnoticed and unconstrained, it makes them happy,” says Sommer. “We are very happy that it is possible again after two years.”
joy in life
For resident Wietske Voogd it is more than just a nice change during the day. Before she moved to De Schutse, she lost her husband. According to Voogd, the children have brought back into her life the joy she had lost.
All the toddlers also seem to know her, because every minute a toddler calls out for ‘grandma Voogd’ and if she wants to look at their drawing. With a lot of patience and love, she greets every child with compliments and a pat on the back. The children then walk back to their seats with a big smile, on their way to the next work of art that is in the making.
Watch this video to see how seniors and children got together again: