A collection of classic toys is helping to unlock memories for many Anglicare residents at Penrith’s Lemongrove Residential Care Home.
The program, developed by Anglicare, features 49 toys dating back to the 40s and 50s. They include old favourites like the London Routemaster bus, a ‘ride on’ Dinky, an old transistor radio, and toy merry-go-round.
Anglicare’s Music Consultant, Mark Pentecost, says he was thrilled to see residents ‘come alive’ when the collection made its debut at Newmarch House in Kingswood earlier this month.
“The toys brought back memories of their childhood and teenage years. Residents shared stories of the fun they had as children. Some explained how the toys worked and while others couldn’t articulate what they were thinking, their faces and body language said it all.”
The reminiscence resource is unique to the organisation and will tour all Anglicare’s residential care homes over the coming year. Funding for this collection was made possible thanks to the Foundation for Aged Care.
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