Residents and students mark Global Intergenerational Week

Global Intergenerational Week runs from 25th April – 1st May which campaigns to connect people of all ages, especially the younger and older generations. This campaign celebrates local opportunities where different age groups come together, and intergenerational friendships are formed!

“As we emerge from the pandemic now more than ever it’s vital that we develop and celebrate relationships between generations to rebuild our communities, reduce isolation and loneliness, improve health and mental wellbeing, help young people to catch up with their learning, and to reduce ageism.”

At Seacroft Grange, we’re celebrating our ongoing Intergenerational project with Beechwood Primary School.

Linda Shaw, Wellbeing Team Leader at Seacroft Grange, said “this project provides a variety of benefits for our residents – we have seen many residents’ self-esteem and confidence grow as a result of the interactions with the students. It also offers residents with the opportunity to learn more about the different cultures and traditions of the modern day. We’re really excited to see how our residents develop as a result of this project.”

Due to covid restrictions over the past year, we found different ways of communicating with each other.

• Students at Beechwood Primary School gifted our residents a selection of seedlings which they planted during gardening club “Big Bloomers!” Residents and staff had a great time planting the seedlings that the students sent us and we’re looking forward to watching them grow and flower.
• Residents also received lovely letters and cards from the students which really brought smiles to their faces. They enjoyed writing back to say thank you for their lovely messages along with some sweet treats for them to enjoy whilst reading our replies.
• We also exchanged window decorations over the Christmas period to display on our communities.

Last week, we held our very first Zoom with over 60 students and staff from Beechwood Primary School. Residents really enjoyed chatting to the students and listening to them sing songs. One resident even sang for the children, in French, and they replied by counting in French! It was so lovely to see our residents smiling, they absolutely loved meeting the children.

Linda added “this project is not only connecting young people to the older generation, it also encourages lots of interesting questions. Residents are currently working on a project “Our History” which tell the story of Seacroft Grange, before it became our home. It is a very exciting project and we are looking forward to a time when we can meet all the children in person.”