SOME of Ballarat East\u2019s closest neighbours may be far apart in age, but they\u2019ve become good friends.<\/p>\n
Once a week during school terms, Woodmans Hill Secondary College VCAL students walk over to Ballarat Health Services\u2019 Geoffrey Cutter Centre, an aged care facility, to bond and help one another.<\/p>\n
VCAL Coordinator and Literacy Teacher, Patrick Cleary initially organised the visits three years ago, to strengthen his pupils\u2019 speaking and listening skills.<\/p>\n
Now students are developing personally, incorporating their studio art and wood technology work, and are engaging the residents in new ways.<\/p>\n
Most people living at the GCC have cognitive and physical deficits, so the students have developed activities to do together, following the Montessori approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cPioneered by Dr Maria Montessori, it\u2019s a method of education based on hands-on learning that engages cognitive function, fine and gross motor skills, sensory engagement, and a sense of achievement,\u201d Mr Cleary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was designed for use with young children, however in recent times, the value of this approach in working with the aged, and those with dementia, is gaining real traction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Montessori activities champion strengths, abilities and interests, are aesthetically pleasing with bright colours, texturally diverse, and most are easily accessible in open baskets.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents have spent time getting to know residents in an effort to create activities that match up with things they like to do,\u201d Mr Cleary said.<\/p>\n
When the young and old unite for their weekly fun and interaction, there\u2019s lots planned.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur work has included the use of a driving simulator, where students teach and assist residents to use an XBOX steering wheel and accelerator-break pedal to drive a car around in a computer game,\u201d Mr Cleary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve prepared trivia and bingo, a drone demonstration, and completed interviews with residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of these Q and A sessions were filmed and produced into a This is Your Life<\/em> package.<\/p>\n \u201cFor some residents, having never seen themselves on video, this has been an amazing experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n GCC Acting Nurse Unit Manager, Margo Cunningham said whether the young people are playing games, doing concerts or creating personalised artwork for the residents, they\u2019re an uplifting bunch.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they\u2019re here, there\u2019s life. The residents know, \u2018I\u2019m important, and I matter.\u2019 It\u2019s a breath of fresh air,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe residents love the fact that people are spending time with them one-on-one. It\u2019s hugely important in a day when everybody\u2019s really busy, that these students want to spend time with them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a growth for the students as well as the residents. Young people learn about older people and the older people are refreshed by the young.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a pity it\u2019s not every day, the residents do look forward to it. I hope it continues forever,\u201d Ms Cunningham said.<\/p>\n Year 12 VCAL student, Fiona Browne has developed a better understanding of the challenges people face, living with dementia in a care facility.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have gained a sense of achievement seeing these residents light up when we arrive and it feels rewarding when we see them involved in activities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SOME of Ballarat East\u2019s closest neighbours may be far apart in age, but they\u2019ve become good friends. Once a week during school terms, Woodmans Hill Secondary College VCAL students walk over to Ballarat Health Services\u2019 Geoffrey Cutter Centre, an aged care facility, to bond and help one another. VCAL Coordinator and Literacy Teacher, Patrick Cleary […]<\/p>\n