CHRISTMAS is a time for joy and for getting together….
Brooklands Care Home in Kilkeel was the setting for a special morning of festive fun and music and building connections between older and younger people. It brought residents in the local care home together with mums and their young children. Linking Generations Northern Ireland is a small charity striving to create connections between older and younger people across Northern Ireland, to build, the charity adds, “a truly age-friendly society”. “Our range of services, ideas and resources aim to inspire and support local people to take the lead in running intergenerational activities that add value to existing work,” explained the charity’s director Vicki Titterington. “We advocate that by taking an intergenerational approach to community activities greater benefits can be achieved and resources can be shared.” The event at Brooklands was a collaboration between Home-Start Newry and Mourne and the local care home and was supported by one of 20 small grants provided by the charity to encourage intergenerational activities. “Our Christmas Campaign calls out to our supporters to make this Christmas intergenerational, urging communities, groups and settings to reach out to another group and make new connections this Christmas,” Vicki added.
She explained that intergenerational activity has many benefits. These include helping to address social isolation, creating understanding and respect, promoting empathy and making people feel a part of their communities. “Brooklands Care Home and Home-Start Newry and Mourne have existing links with each other and used LGNI’s small grant to add value to their Christmas activities, bringing mums, babies and residents of Brooklands together to enjoy some festive singing, musical instruments, gift giving and most importantly lots of hugs and conversations. “The activity brought so much life and festive cheer to the care home, with the residents being delighted to see the babies and children and getting involved in singing. “Everyone was smiling and all of the older people seemed to really enjoy the interaction, with the younger ones asking questions, and chatting with the parents and probably reminiscing about their own family days. “From an LGNI perspective it’s great to see the connection between the home’s activity coordinator and the Home-Start staff member, who have managed to combine what they do in their daily jobs and make it beneficial for both age groups.”
Events like the recent one at Brooklands enables residents to interact with people outside of the home and enhances the wellbeing of residents by being valued and connected to the local community. It also helps to nurture the children’s communication and development skills. Above all, it was an enjoyable morning for everyone who took part. “Creating opportunities for older and younger people to get together, learn from one another and enjoy each other’s company is vital in today’s society, when generations are usually apart,” Vicki said. “We believe that by taking an intergenerational approach to activities that are already happening benefits can be achieved for all involved, whether its educational, addressing loneliness or making people feel valued. “Our wish is for intergenerational connections to be the norm in our communities and happening all year round.”
Linking Generations Northern Ireland would like to thank the Public Health Agency NI for providing the funding which made the charity’s Christmas Campaign grants possible. If you would like to learn more about the work of Linking Generations Northern Ireland, you can visit the charity’s website – www.linkinggenerationsni.com
