Intergenerational project takes off in North Herts

Intergenerational projects are springing up across the country and the good news is that everyone benefits when young and old get together for fun and learning!

The benefits are wide ranging, whether it be learning new skills, helping to alleviate fears children may have of the elderly and helping them understand ageing, as well as being invigorating and energising for older adults, reducing their likelihood of depression and isolation; helping keep family stories and history alive, aiding in cognitive stimulation and broadening social circles.

NHDC’s Community Health and Wellbeing Team Leader, Helen Rae, was inspired by the ground-breaking Channel 4 TV series ‘Old People’s Home for 4 year Olds at Christmas’, which saw a nursery group share a classroom with older people in a retirement home in Bristol, and thought it would be a fantastic project to run in North Herts. When the Council approved funding to deliver projects to support the health and wellbeing of local people, she was able to take the project forward and launch the ‘Generations Together’ project.

The pilot began in Spring 2019 when we joined forces with Howard Cottage Housing Association and Hillshott Infant School. For five weeks, children aged 4-5 years old came together with older adults and enjoyed a range of activities including a farm, arts and crafts, party games, cake decorating, a sports day and dance class. Each of the six sessions involved a group of 12 children and 15-20 adults.

Rachel Horne, Home Support Officer at Howard Cottage Association said: “The project is so lovely and brings both age ranges together in a series of activities. The adults get so much from the sessions and the smiles on people’s faces speak a million words!”

In fact, feedback from the project was so positive that a second phase was given the green light. A further six sessions have been taking place at Edwin Nott House, a sheltered housing scheme in Letchworth. The sessions have included activities such as the opportunity to make Christmas gifts, story telling with Letchworth Library and a Sharing Memories session run by the Heritage Foundation Garden City Collection. The sessions will culminate at a celebratory event in March for all the adults, children and their families to attend.

Want to get involved?

We are on the lookout for schools who are interested in intergenerational projects, as well as groups of older people.

If you work in a school, day centre, supported housing scheme, or care home and think you could be involved in future intergenerational projects, please contact Rebecca Galloway on: Rebecca.Galloway@north-herts.gov.uk