Seniors living in the Fabijoniškės Social Services Home are engaged in a new volunteer activity – they visit Vilnius daycare centers at least once a week and tell children fairy tales. Such interaction helps reduce the feeling of loneliness of seniors, promotes activity and connection between different generations.
"By following fairy tales, seniors feel needed – they willingly engage in creative activities, at the same time they revive their perhaps somewhat forgotten communication skills and experience the sincere attention of children. This helps to strengthen the self-esteem of seniors, provides routine to everyday life. In addition, following fairy tales becomes a very meaningful form of volunteering, helping to develop memory and promoting communication between children and seniors. While children listen to fairy tales, seniors hear their laughter, and such exchanges are lively, sincere and very necessary," says Anželika Žolnerukaitė, director of the Fabijoniškė Social Services Home.
Both lonely seniors living in the Fabijoniškės Social Services Home and elderly Vilnius residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia and attending the day care center operating at the facility come to kindergartens to read fairy tales.
Since this initiative was launched at the beginning of the year, 16 seniors have already joined the fairy tale-following activity, and together they have visited as many as 14 preschool institutions in the capital.
Among the stories read to kindergarteners are the classic fairy tales that have grown up with more than one generation - Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, the Cunning Fox, the Turnip, or the Magical Fairy. pupaPopular and modern characters beloved by children such as Kakė Makė.
"This is much more than just children's fairy tales - it is closeness, attention and communion between children and seniors. Meetings with seniors are truly special for children. The fairy tales they follow are very engaging, and the warm communication leaves many happy emotions for both the little ones and the entire community," says Laima Bartaškienė, director of the nursery school "Gintarėlis".
Zita, a senior citizen who follows fairy tales for little Vilnius residents, says that every time she goes to kindergarten it feels like a celebration: "We bring stories, and we return with hearts full of love. When children hug you and shower you with questions - connecting is alive and needed."
Another senior citizen, Jadvyga, who lives at the Fabijoniškės Social Services Home, agrees: "This is a very important activity for us - you can't just come and read. You need to prepare for each fairy tale, think about how to involve children, so it's also a creative process. After each such meeting, I live with a smile for a long time."
The Youth Voluntary Service volunteers who work at the institution help seniors get to kindergartens and prepare for reading fairy tales, so young people are also included in the implementation of the initiative.
The initiative of reading fairy tales to seniors in Vilnius nurseries will be submitted for the European Social Service Awards 2025. European Social Services Awards).
