Back in April last year we launched Empower, our online platform and support offer for UK-wide housing associations and care homes interested in running intergenerational activities. We’re delighted to share an update on what we’ve been up to since then, including news of three new projects in Chingford and Manchester.
Chingford: Lewis House (Southern Housing) and Ainslie Wood Primary School
In Chingford, we’ve connected Lewis House with Ainslie Wood Primary School for a year of intergenerational activities. The project is led by Jackie, Lewis House Scheme Manager, and Jamie, Assistant Head at Ainslie Wood Primary School. They are both local to Chingford, with the school and scheme just a seven minute walk away.
Jackie and Jamie first met at a consultation meeting in May supported by InCommon. In the meeting, they recognised just how rich in culture Chingford is, with Ainslie Wood Primary pupils speaking over 40 different languages and many Lewis House residents having English as an additional language. Since then, they’ve been working together to deliver workshops that are inclusive and accessible for younger and older neighbours.
Jamie Head, Assistant Head - “It was a lovely experience and the children were so enthusiastic about the whole visit. They came back to school with many stories about the people they met and the conversations they had.”
Manchester: The Byrons (Great Places) and Prospect House Specialist Support Primary School
Meanwhile in Manchester, we’ve been working with The Byrons and Prospect House Specialist Support Primary School, which are just a minute’s walk away from each other. This project is led by Louise, The Byrons Independent Living Manager and Robin, Deputy Head, at Prospect House Specialist Support Primary School.
Louise and Robin met in September and have since organised fortnightly intergenerational workshops, which have been a big hit among pupils and residents alike. The first workshop featured lots of conversation, followed by a windchime decorating session. Since then, they’ve met more than eight times, getting to know each other better through games and activities.
Louise Towers, Independent Living Manager - “The energy that the children brought to our scheme was joyous and I could see little friendships being made just within that short hour.”
Manchester: Hawkshaw Court (Great Places) and Saint Paul's Church of England Primary School
We’ve also paired Manchester’s Hawkshaw Court with local school, Saint Paul's Church of England Primary School. This project is led by Sophie, Hawkshaw Court’s Independent Living Coordinator and Wendy, the Principal at Saint Paul's Church of England Primary School.
Sophie and Wendy met at the end of September and have since organised two intergenerational workshops, featuring end of year celebrations and crafts. They’ve got their next date booked for later this month - we can’t wait to see what they get up to!
Resident at Hawkshaw Court: “I'm so glad that I came. I really loved the visit.”
Sophie Butterworth, Independent Living Coordinator – “The residents' spirits were lifted after the visit… To watch the interactions between the residents and children was amazing.”
Wendy Budsworth, Principal - “The children really enjoyed speaking to the residents and could have happily stayed there all afternoon, chatting. They felt that they had made a difference to their older friends by making them smile.”
Would you like to be involved in an intergenerational project? Visit our Empower page for more information and details of how to get in touch.
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