Leicester Intergenerational Linking Project
Intergenerational Linking connects young people with older people in a way that is reciprocal and beneficial to all who take part. Engaging in intergenerational linking is a powerful way to improve and develop skills in conversation, collaboration and empathy.
Through carefully facilitated partnerships, between Older People’s Groups/Care Homes and Schools/Youth Groups, this project is a way to reduce loneliness and isolation and encourage people to become active citizens within their communities..
The project is totally FREE OF CHARGE
Once the partnership has been initiated the younger and older people share information as way of an introduction eg cards, video messages, photographs.
The links are then strengthened through a series of shared activities.
Each partnership is free to focus on areas of particular interest or relevance and engage in activities of their choice. This is ultimately a decision for the two partners to agree on but we will offer free resources and training to all involved so as to make the project as impactful as possible.
This Padlet will show you some of the fantastic ways young people and older people are connecting through this work
“This project began in the depths of the pandemic at a time when care homes were closed to all visitors and subject to additional restrictions and requirements linked to increased infection control. It is therefore staggering that this project has managed to establish links between 18 care homes and schools / youth groups during a period of extreme pressure for the managers of these services for older people. This is testament to the quality of the written communications and the clarity of discussion between the project lead and the stakeholders and the approach of the project lead.”
Deputy Head of Service, Social Care & Education, Leicester City Council
Activities might include;
Storytelling- swapping favourite childhood stories
Telling stories of personal experience and identity
Learning skills together and from one another
Reading to each other
Arts and crafts
Weather watching or bird watching
Discussing hobbies and sharing examples
Exploring technology eg face filters, voice recording
Learning words or phrases in other languages
Sharing special events or festivals
Gardening
Telling jokes
“The interaction with children was so powerful it changed the whole mood of the day to a positive one, it gave residents a real sense of purpose, their purpose was to help the children learn through play and they were so happy to do that.”
Wellbeing Manager, Leicester Care Home