Home / Health / Generations Connect: School and Care Home Bridge Divides
Generations Connect: School and Care Home Bridge Divides
5 Jul
Summary
- Intergenerational initiatives combat loneliness and challenge stereotypes.
- University of Sussex experts highlight growing importance of these programs.
- South East England has some of UK's oldest communities, with Rother having 33.5% over 65.
Intergenerational initiatives are successfully bringing together schoolchildren, students, and older residents, addressing loneliness and breaking down stereotypes to strengthen communities. Experts at the University of Sussex emphasize the escalating importance of these programs as the population ages.
For four years, Marten House Care Home and London Meed Primary School in Burgess Hill have held joint workshops. These sessions allow children and residents to build meaningful relationships, offering valuable interaction, particularly for residents who may not see their own grandchildren regularly.
The University of Sussex's Intergenerational Exchange Programme also fosters connections. Co-led by Dr Rachel Burr, this initiative hosts regular sessions at the Hop50+ Café in Brighton. Students and older individuals engage in storytelling and receive assistance with technology like smartphones and social media.
The government acknowledges the demographic shift with its 10-Year Health Plan and National Care Service proposals, aiming to enhance care quality and prevention. The South East of England notably features some of the UK's oldest communities, with Rother having 33.5% of its population aged 65 and over, significantly higher than the national average of approximately 19%.
