As the school year comes to a close, there is no better way to celebrate the intergenerational friendships forged at InCommon’s workshops than with a summer party!
This year, around 200 older people and 300 younger people have come together as part of our Connect and Social Action programmes. These programmes are designed to bridge generational divides, encouraging the children and older participants to learn and build friendships together. Over the past year, we have explored themes such as kindness and gratitude, culture and identity, and traced the course of our lives through a life river.
These summer parties provide a special opportunity for our older and younger neighbours to celebrate all that they have achieved this year. Over fresh strawberries and Victoria sponge cake, one of our older volunteers from The Oaks in Morden said, “This was the perfect way to end the year!”
The children and their older neighbours enjoying strawberries and cake outside at the Oaks.
At one of the parties, residents from Doliffe Close and children from Liberty Primary School painted flower pots together, whilst listening to a playlist that they had co-created. This was made up of both Motown classics and Pop hits, and of course, the end of year anthem ‘Schools out for Summer’.
Plant pot painting at Doliffe Close
Music was a central part of many of the parties and celebration events. The residents at Queen Elizabeth House were even invited to a recorder recital at Belleville school, where Year 3 performed a medley of pieces they had been working on including Mamma Mia and Doe a Deer.
The residents of Queen Elizabeth House were the guests of honour at Belleville School’s recorder recital.
In Lee, things got competitive as the group split into teams for a Nature Quiz. Whilst all the team names were incredibly creative, everyone was very amused by the team called ‘A little cuppa’.
Across our Social Action programmes we also had end of year celebrations as younger and older finalised their social action campaigns to raise awareness for climate change in global conflict zones and rising levels of food poverty in the UK respectfully. Lorna, a resident from Gawthorne Court, even treated us to a rendition of Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”!
A resident and student at Gawthorne Court celebrating the end of year and their #PlantForJustice Campaign
Our Programme Manager, Michaela Tranfield, shared her reflections on the year: “It’s been amazing to see the wide ranging effects of connecting generations this year. From Lewisham to Lambeth, friendships have blossomed, confidence has grown and advice and learning has been shared. I’ll fondly remember the occasions that children were incredibly surprised that our older volunteers grew up without a TV! Equally, children and young people have taught their older neighbours just as much as their older neighbours have taught them. In a time when division and social isolation is becoming more common, making the space for intergenerational joy is even more important than ever.
Thank you to all our partners that have made this year possible. We wouldn’t be able to do it without you!
If you enjoyed reading about our Intergenerational Summer Parties and would like to be kept in the loop, sign up to our newsletter for similar updates.
Read more
