On a residential street in Avondale Heights, faint chatter, laughter and happy squeals can be heard in the distance. At the end of the cul-de-sac, colour and noise tumbles out of the playgroup nestled in the corner bend of suburban Melbourne. Little children clasp onto their grandparents hands, leading them to the playground or to a new discovery, sharing a story or a new idea. It feels like a big family here where familiarity and friendship are well established.

“The grandparents are able to teach the children many skills,” said playgroup coordinator, Elizabeth Vescio.

“Being able to socialise and interact with other children and people of all cultures and all ages; to share, to be able to sit learn and listen; to be creative by making things together; to be honest, confident and caring; to grow things by planting seeds. The list is endless.”

Elizabeth said that spending this time together creates a special bond between grandparents and grandchildren and readies them for their next step.

“This time prepares them to confidently go to kindergarten and school and to respect the older generation and all cultures.”

Elizabeth Vescio first attended playgroup in early 2010 with her first grandson, Lucas.

“This is when my love for playgroup began.”

The tradition carried on with three generations attending together when her daughter was on maternity leave. Thereafter Elizabeth continued to attend, with four more grandchildren in tow.

Elizabeth said that many first-time mums came along and they welcomed her help and support, asking for advice on matters or concerns they had.

After retirement, playgroup opened up new opportunities and connections for Elizabeth. It was an opportunity to be part of something and make a positive difference in the lives of local families.

“Intergenerational relationships create special bonds between the grandparents, their children and the grandchildren, and it creates respect and trust between the young and the old. We have to learn to respect the views of others on the raising of children and be able support each other.”

At the start of 2014, Avondale Heights Grandparents group began and Elizabeth was asked if she would like to run the group.

A small group of six quickly burgeoned and the playgroup outgrew their one weekly session. More days were added to welcome families into the playgroup community.

This is Elizabeth’s eighth year of running the group, with many helpers along the way.

Elizabeth has loved creating a sense of community and connection through playgroup.

“Seeing the smiles on all the faces, the interaction between all the grandparents, always helping each other if one needs a hand with their grandchildren, especially those grandparents who take two children at the same time.”

“The bonds and friendships these families have created go past the time they spend at playgroup. Many have stayed connected after their playgroup years have finished. Many continue to socialise with us at events we organise and many have stayed connected by their grandchildren attending the same schools in the area.”

Some grandparents have had to leave due to serious illness but that has not taken them away from playgroup as the group rallies to support and care for them.

“We support these grandparents by visiting them and providing whatever we can for them. Some grandparents make biscuits, cakes and drop off to them, especially during Covid this was very appreciated by all.”

Despite the differences in age, from two-year-olds to 70-year-olds, the intergenerational bonds here are strong and prove to enrich the lives of both young and older.

“I think our playgroup is unique because it caters for all grandparents: both male and female, of various cultural backgrounds and of various ages. Some are still working part time as well, and many who are giving up their senior years to help out their families by volunteering to look after the grandchildren for various reasons. Some are permanent carers of their grandchildren.”

“Whether they care for the grandchildren all week, a few days a week or a few hours a week, everyone is welcome to join.”

Many grandparents look forward to the sessions each week, a time to catch up and reconnect. So what happens when a once in a century pandemic happens and everyone is in lockdown?

Many of the grandparents messaged one another to see how they were coping or would ring for a chat.

“We all had something in common. We were all cooking and baking, sending food to our families.”

Towards the middle of the first lockdown, families caught up on Messenger and they had a Zoom committee meeting, planning how to get back together in a COVID safe manner. Then the second lockdown hit.

“This one was a lot tougher, the restrictions were taking a toll on many of the grandparents. Many started to feel very lonely and depressed and missed their grandchildren.”

Elizabeth jumped into action. Each year she makes a calendar with photos of the grandparents and children as a memento. This year would be different; it was different. Elizabeth invited all the families to get involved, putting together an ISO [isolation] cookbook.

“I asked them all to send me their favourite ISO recipe along with a photo via email. I kept up my weekly text messages with everyone and our group face-to-face meeting. We continued to update each other on what we doing.  I started typing up the recipe book. it kept me busy and I had it completed and printed by the time we started to come out of isolation.”

Relief came when the group was able to reunite again at the park. They were lucky enough to be offered a Bunnings fundraising weekend where everyone pitched in and enjoyed a day out together.

Elizabeth said that she knows how difficult it can be to take the children out in public spaces and the fear of keeping them safe. She said if it weren’t for playgroup, many people would be isolated at home with the children.

 “My aim is to reduce social isolation for these families and offer a safe happy environment for everyone to take the grandchildren, where the children can learn and play with other children and at the same time, they can socialise with other grandparents in the same situation.”

While the children have brought these grandparents together, they have forged connections beyond that, the strands of which run deep.

“The most positive impact it has had on my life, and on all those that have attended playgroup, is the lifelong friendships we have made. I still stay in contact with many grandparents who no longer attend playgroup.”

The group organises social outings and Elizabeth’s plan is to start a seniors group for grandparents whose grandchildren have started school and who are looking for social interaction.

“The success of our playgroups demonstrates the need for these playgroups within our communities and we rely on the support from Playgroup Victoria and the councils to continue to run these groups.”

Elizabeth reflects on the change she has seen in society, with her children, and many others, having their families later in life.

“Many aren’t grandparents until they are in their sixties, whereas our parents were grandparents in their late forties and fifties and by the time they reached retirement age all their grandchildren were grown up, or at least of school age. I think we have skipped a generation and it is important we understand the needs of our children and grandchildren at a time when peer group pressure, modern technology and social media pressure have taken over their lives.”

“Our life was much more simple. It is important we work together to make sure we support our children in teaching our grandchildren.”

“This can only happen by being aware and listening to our grandchildren to make sure they stay safe. Children seem to confide in their grandparents and it is important they feel they can tell us anything.”

Elizabeth arranges play dates and outings with her grandchildren who are now at school with the close friends they made at playgroup.

“I consider many of these families as my extended family, we are always there to support each other in times of need and hardship. I love seeing the children who began at the very start with us and hearing about them.”

“Through playgroup we have become a united group within our community and that will be very important in our senior years once our playgroup days are over.”

Article by Sinead Halliday

Learn more and connect with Avondale Heights playgroup community Here