The Nursery in Belong is launching weekly intergenerational ‘Stay and Play’ sessions for families at the not-for-profit dementia specialist’s recently opened Chester care village.

‘Living Lives Together’ invites parents and grandparents and great-grandparents to bring babies and toddlers for a morning of shared multi-sensory learning experiences, involving play, storytelling and music, at the region’s first fully integrated nursery within a care setting, which opened earlier this year.

The launch follows the location being distinguished as a Public Living Room: a venue that is open to the public to meet and relax, as designated by the Camerados movement. The international organisation seeks to bring people together to create support networks and bolster the resilience of individuals and communities during challenging times, guided by principles such as inclusion, having fun and embracing individuality. Fittingly, the first event takes place on the back of World Kindness Day and against the backdrop of the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

Commenting on the new initiative, nursery manager, Ruth Sandbach, said: “The benefits of shared experiences for all ages, including improved physical and mental health, are recognised more and more. We know that membership of a strong community is something that people are increasingly missing in today’s often isolated and digital society. ‘Living Lives Together’ will give children and adults the opportunity to build new relationships at the same time as strengthening community connections. We welcome everyone with young children and grandchildren to come along.”