Intergenerational performance inspires

Residents from Uniting AgeWell’s Mornington nursing home have collaborated with students from Warrane Primary School to create a spectacular shadow puppet show.

Over four-weeks the residents and students worked with puppet theatre specialists Terrapin to tell stories from the residents’ lives through innovative shadow puppetry, which was then performed to the nursing homes residents.

“Bringing generations together in creative projects can have huge social benefits for both groups,” Terrapin project designer Dannielle Jackson said.

“We have been delighted to see both the residents and the young people come out of their shells and work together on a shared outcome.”

Uniting AgeWell general manager Jane Johnston said that the residents loved meeting and connecting with the students.

“Creating opportunities to connect and learn from each other is an ongoing focus for Uniting AgeWell and we look forward to continuing to participate in bringing people together across our residential care communities in Victoria and Tasmania,” she said.

The workshops and performance were supported by the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF).

TCF Chairperson Sally Darke, who attended the performance, said Terrapin was building social connection between generations and enhanced interaction through drama therapy.

“We are really looking forward to hearing more feedback from residents and young people about the difference the program is making in their lives,” she said.

The performance ended with the students handing out shadow puppets to the residents to last as a memento of their time together.