THERE were lots of Christmas carols, food and fun when Grade 2 students visited Villa Maria Berwick aged care residence recently.
On 7 December, 16 Grade 2 students from Berwick’s Fleetwood Primary School sang Christmas Carols for residents, family members and staff before a Christmas feast was served as part of the annual Residents and Relatives Christmas Lunch run by not-for-profit aged and disability organisation Villa Maria.
Villa Maria Berwick Lifestyle co-ordinator Carolyn Buckley said students had visited the residence each Thursday for the past six years to read to the residents, do craft activities, and help residents to investigate their respective histories on the internet.
“The residents look forward to the children visiting,” Ms Buckley said.
“It gives them a sense of self-worth knowing that the children want to come every week and do activities with them, and also brings back memories of when their own children and grandchildren were young. There have been so many wonderful experiences for both the children and residents. The best would have to be the smiles on their faces every week and the conversations that are generated.”
Fleetwood Primary School teacher Dannielle Nolen said the relationship with Villa Maria was very beneficial for students.
“The students value and enjoy the life experiences of our senior citizens; learning what life was like for them when they were children and sharing what life is like for the students now,” Ms Noles said.
“It also helps them to develop communication skills and an understanding of the older generation.”
Ms Buckley said Villa Maria staff worked particularly hard to make sure the 60 residents felt valued and important around Christmas, with feelings of isolation and loneliness commonly heightened during this time.
“The Residents and Relatives Christmas Lunch has been happening since Villa Maria Berwick first opened in 1997,” Ms Buckley said.
“It’s a good way for families to continue their own traditions and values of having Christmas lunch together.”
Villa Maria is a values-based, not-for-profit organisation providing quality services and life enhancing opportunities for older people and children and adults with a disability, their families and carers.
Established in 1907 as the Catholic Braille Writers Association, Villa Maria has grown to become one of Victoria’s largest not-for-profit providers of disability, education and senior services with more than 60 programs supporting 5000 people across the state and southern New South Wales.
