Nine youngsters from Goodstart Banff Avenue caught up with four residents of Mercy Place Albury for a little picnic in the children’s garden.

The outing is part of a regular program the two groups share once a month, usually at either the aged care facility or the childcare centre.

Goodstart preschool teacher Louise Mossman said the joint activities included box bowls, craft, stories and cooking.

“Once a year we try and meet together for a picnic here at the gardens,” she said.

“They develop those relationships throughout the year because it’s the same children that go every month.”

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Mercy Place lifestyle co-ordinator Tracy Quirk said up to 10 residents took part in the visits.

“We’ve got a few regulars who always come, they look forward to it each month,” she said.

“A lot of them don’t get to see their grandchildren that much, so this is like grandchildren contact.”

And box bowls continues to be a favourite pastime regardless of age, as five-year-old Michael Curtis attests.

“Because I got 100 first time and I think I got the highest score in that game,” he said.

“But not in all of the games, (later) I kept trying and kept trying and then finally I got it in the 100.”

Mercy Place resident John Smith, 77, said the children chatted away when they came to visit.

“We enjoy it, it makes my day when I see them,” he said.

Mr Smith also appreciates other younger visitors, for example an Albury High School group he met at Mercy Place earlier this year.  

Mrs Mossman said Goodstart parents whose own parents might not live locally valued gatherings like Monday’s picnic.

“They love it that their children are having that connection with the older generation,” she said.