Intergenerational program expands to Caboolture

Caboolture seniors and school students will be connecting next term in a new intergenerational program that will see them working on joint activities from cooking to gardening and writing letters.

Starting in October, Caboolture State School students and older adults and students will be getting involved in a range of activities together to learn new skills, share experiences and foster intergenerational friendships – and over-65s across the region are being encouraged to get involved.

The intergenerational program will be delivered by Bolton Clarke partnering with Brisbane North PHN and The Village Hub. It aims to grow community connections and expand on The Village Hub’s work to improve wellbeing and connection for older people across the region.

Bolton Clarke is a leader in intergenerational programs through its SHARE storytelling initiative, underpinned by the work of its Research Institute. Projects include the Life Stories program which has been a hit with residents at Fernhill, Caboolture with University students spending structured time with residents to develop life story books and posters.

Bolton Clarke retirement village resident Brian recently participated in an intergenerational storytelling program that included everything from a slam poetry competition to dance and developing market stalls, and says he hadn’t realised how much he would learn from the experience.

“I was a bit dubious about participating but I ended up thoroughly enjoying the whole experience,” Brian said.  

“It is nice to mix with my team of students and I really enjoyed the time I spent in the program coming out to the school each week.

“You tend to forget how enthusiastic kids are, what they are like and how well behaved and nice they are.

“It gives you the opportunity to share with younger people about your experience in life and learn from them too.”

Bolton Clarke’s intergenerational initiatives operate across Queensland and NSW.

The Caboolture project will incorporate a diverse timetable of activities based on the interests of older people and students.

For more information or to sign up contact Kerrie Tomkins.