Celebrating iGEN in Global Intergenerational Week
03/05/2023Last week was Global Intergenerational Week (24 – 30 April) and time to celebrate our own intergenerational program.
Monday Google Meets
Students from all our Year 10 iGEN classes have been participating in weekly Google Meets with residents from Mercy Place Ballarat throughout Term 1. This will culminate in an onsite visit to see the residents in person, to be held next week. Strong relationships have been built with many of the groups, as they discussed different topics and shared stories about themselves.
Thursday Coolock Visit
Throughout this semester, a class of Year 10 iGEN students have been visiting residents at Mercy Health Golden Rise Seniors Living Community. The weekly interactions have included many discussions, jokes and recreational activities. The students invited the residents to visit to the Coolock Campus this week, sharing a bus trip to Junortoun, hosting a tour of the campus and then enjoying lunch together.
Thursday Disco
Students said:
“To celebrate Global Intergenerational Week 2023, our iGEN class organised a disco at Mercy Health Bethlehem last Thursday. We saw everyone having a whole lot of fun with group dances, costumes and a variety of music. This highlighted the joy and happiness that comes from positive intergenerational relationships.”
“Last week students at CMC planned a disco for the residents at Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Ages as part of Global Intergenerational Week. We worked with residents to plan when it would take place and created colourful invites for all the residents. Then we bought balloons, decorations and dress-ups, then created an intergenerational disco playlist using some of the residents’ favourite songs.
The students and residents had a wonderful time singing and dancing, and we can’t wait to see them again soon.”
Residents said:
“I loved it because it brought back a lot of memories for me. I had a lot of fun. I love dancing” (Nancy, Resident)
“It was great. I have never been to a disco before. Now I can tell my grandkids I have!” (Gloria, Resident)
“I love the companionship and it’s gorgeous to watch the students dance. It made me so happy” (Joan, Resident)
“The disco was really great, it gets the blood going” (Rosemary, Resident)
Staff said:
“The smiles from the residents and the students prove what an enormous success it was. There were residents up dancing who don’t usually get involved in many activities. It brought a positive energy to the whole place and it’s great to do something different and out of the ordinary for the residents.” (Debra, Lifestyle Assistant)
Friday Pompoms
To finish the busy week, on Friday iGEN students and residents made pompoms. Although a quieter activity than Thursday’s disco, there was still a constant buzz of conversation around the room.
About Global Intergenerational Week
Global Intergenerational Week is an annual campaign celebrating all things intergenerational. The campaign looks to inspire individuals, groups, organisations, local/national governments, and NGOs to fully embrace intergenerational practice, connecting people of different generations in intentional, mutually beneficial activities. It is an opportunity to celebrate good practice, ideas, moments, and opportunities local to us where different age groups come together, and intergenerational friendships can be formed! It provides an opportunity to share and discuss, on a global platform, creative and effective new ways of connecting generations. Find out more
