Every year on the 1st October, people across the world mark International Day of Older Persons to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations, and to mobilise the wider community to address difficulties faced by older people.
By 2040, for the first time in history over 40% of the UK population will be aged 50 and over. With the population getting older, there has never been a better time to invest in building age-friendly communities where everyone can age well and live a good later life.
Bridging generational divides through intergenerational connection
Britain is one of the world’s most age-segregated countries, with many people having little contact with other generations outside their own families. This divide can affect our wellbeing, our sense of community and exacerbates ageist attitudes, which can develop as young as 6 years old. By bringing generations together, it’s possible for younger and older generations to build trust and understand each other, which is essential for building age-friendly communities.
At InCommon, we’ve been bringing generations together since 2017. We connect retirement schemes with local schools and youth groups for a year of intergenerational friendship and learning. So far, we’ve helped more than 1,500 people make an intergenerational connection.
On International Day of Older Persons, we want to celebrate the role that intergenerational connection can play in older people’s lives. We are delighted to share the story of Elaine, one of older volunteers. She volunteers her time each month to attend intergenerational workshops where she supports children’s social and emotional learning.
Elaine’s story
I’ve always enjoyed being around kids. I see my grandchildren on a weekly basis and I look after them regularly. What I like about InCommon’s workshops is that I get to be around different children. Mitcham has a diverse community - there are lots of different experiences and personalities to learn from.
Elaine with local primary school children at an intergenerational workshop
One child that stands out for me is a Spanish boy. He had recently moved to Mitcham from Spain and English wasn’t his first language. Over the course of the sessions, I saw him grow in confidence and I felt like I helped with that, supporting him with his language and breaking down words. I vividly remember telling him my family lived in Spain for 20 years and he had a big grin on his face - this is something we had in common.
InCommon is now my most regular volunteering activity. I’ve volunteered at other places but it tends to be more light touch, just when they need me. As a volunteer, I’ve enjoyed being a part of the children’s learning, helping them think outside of the box and share their ideas. I also attended the Intergenerational Panel, which was interesting - especially meeting children from different boroughs.
Support our work
If you’re feeling inspired this International Day of Older Persons, please consider supporting our work. We’re also currently looking for volunteers, including new trustees. Get in touch if you think you might like to get involved.