The Young at Heart Playgroup, originally designed to connect young children with residents at the Maldon hospital, has been running for over seven years and now has more than 22 families, parents, grandparents and carers attending with their young children.

Unfortunately, due to Covid, the playgroup hasn’t been able to visit the hospital, but that hasn’t stopped the children from connecting with the residents, with special hand-made gifts and Christmas cards sent to hospital residents, who wrote back to the children telling them what life was like when they were young.

This year the playgroup has participated in the National Simultaneous Story Time and has started toddler-time sessions with visits from the Castlemaine Library.

Coordinator of the playgroup, Brenda Misso, said, “Many of the parents have said they enjoy the social aspects of the group, the new friendships they’ve made and watching their children’s interactions with everyone.

“Being able to talk with other parents about our children’s development and the parenting journey has been a big bonus as well.”

The group now meets every Wednesday (during school terms) from 10am to 11.30 at the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre.

All parents/carers of children from birth to preschool age are welcome to come along, get to know other parents and participate in playtime.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 26 August 2022.