We have been using intergenerational projects to help raise wellbeing since holding a World War 1 inspired Walking Football tournament in 2014 which was refereed and managed by Glossopdale College students. We invariably find that young people enjoy the chance to share time with older people who in turn get a great deal out of the interaction.
In Autumn 2016 we delivered our first intergenerational project involving nursery children – an Autumn Walk and Art session – with Gamesley Early Excellence Centre and Cornmill House in Howard Town. It was such a powerful experience for all involved that we actually employed an Intergenerational Project Developer – the lovely Vicky – and have been bringing young and old together to share time, space and purposeful activity ever since.
In April 2020 our efforts were recognised by the National Lottery Community Fund who gave us a grant to link older people’s residential settings with local nursery schools to create working relationships which are not dependent on Be Well being present. This vote of confidence in our ethos and methods was a huge boost and we were starting to report really positive results when COVID-19 arrived.
Since lockdown ended, we have been working hard to get the programme back up and running and have launched a fantastic new partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association based in Whitfield House.
We are currently talking to the National Lottery about how we can develop a community-wide initiative using what we have learned and have every confidence that we will be continuing to bring the benefits of “IG” to Glossop.
What are the benefits? Just look at the pictures…
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