Intergenerational Connections and Wellbeing
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- February 7, 2023
2020 was a turbulent year for all generations as the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic swept the world. People around the globe were faced with new social norms such as social distancing and being deprived of touch. The elderly and young who were feared to be the most vulnerable groups were particularly affected by the crisis as intergenerational contacts became limited to avoid risk of infection.
Prof. Em. An Hermans, President of the European Seniors’ Union wrote in 2020: “Since 2008, the 29th of April has been highlighted as the European Day of Solidarity between Generations and all over Europe seniors’ associations and youth associations are underlying the importance of cooperation and solidarity between generations in families and neighbourhoods, in enterprises and voluntary work.”
Volunteering is a catalyst for lifelong learning and engagement across generations and successful projects such as Intergenerational Volunteering have been helping to bring people of different generations together, to cultivate relationships and, importantly, to address social issues such as loneliness, social isolation, cultural identity gaps, poor educational achievements, digital divides, cognitive decline in older adults, ageism, and other forms of stereotyping. Two examples of such projects are included below. Share Ami in France and Intergenerational practices in Canada.
The “Share Ami” (Shared Friend) initiative, run by the French Red Cross, was originally started during the Covid era to raise awareness about the loneliness of the elderly worldwide and to help make their voices heard. The aim of this initiative was to create intergenerational links by connecting students learning French in other countries and seniors living in France over video chat. The students found the experience so rewarding and the interaction, learning, and friendships which grew from these meetings was impressive. These experiences for the elderly helped to foster their social inclusion and active life which in turn had a positive influence on their health, confidence, and independence.
Intergenerational practices in Canada have been promoting and supporting volunteers and the volunteer experience to both enhance the quality and diversity of volunteer and recipient experiences to co-creating strong and connected communities across the country. Some of the initiatives on offer include volunteer grandparents, and cultural and intercultural programmes. Two examples which have proved to engage communities are ‘Cyber-Seniors’ where young volunteers come together with seniors to help improve the seniors’ technology skills and in return, the young volunteers improve their interpersonal and social skills. The example which really touched me was the Volunteer Grandparents Programme linking seniors with children without access to any grandparents.
Overall, the outcomes from Intergenerational Volunteer programmes, as well as motivating and satisfying the volunteers and contributing to the lives of the recipients are seen to be positive. Both volunteers and recipients have learnt new skills and, in the process, improved their health and wellbeing through increased social interaction. There have also been noticeable reductions in symptoms such as depression, increased physical strength and mobility in seniors and the sense of feeling that they are needed. Interacting with seniors has helped younger people develop better communication skills, a more positive attitude about ageing, and has altered some of the stereotypes around ageism, promoting quality learning in children and youth, and at the same time enhancing intergenerational understanding and empathy.
Other international initiatives by the EU and UN have been implemented concerning Intergenerational programmes. For example, the European Commission launched an open consultation by publishing the Green Paper on Ageing in January 2021. The aims of the Green Paper on Ageing are to employ a holistic lifecycle approach by promoting healthy and active ageing, combined with lifelong learning, by making the most of the power of volunteering and intergenerational learning, and tackling the growing risks of poverty, loneliness, and social isolation among older people.
Final words
The power of intergenerational ‘volunteer’ programmes is about building strong communities, to bring children and seniors together with opportunities to interact and create relationships, which are beneficial in a variety of ways to the individuals, as well as creating and developing stronger bonds within communities.
Intergenerational connections can help both older and younger people feel cared for and valued. Research shows that intergenerational programs increase self-esteem and feelings of well-being for older and younger participants. Friendships between older and younger people help make communities stronger.
Going forward, the benefits of intergenerational relationships improve attitudes, behaviours and importantly the quality of life and well-being for both the young and the elderly. Engaging with young people can make a real difference in the life of older people, helping them to maintain their executive function and memory, feel more energised and confident and help them to feel less isolated. Younger people may be more likely to volunteer regularly, less likely to skip school, and make friends outside of their age group. Through collaboration and socialization, people of all ages can lead a more active, healthy, and engaged lifestyle which can be enriching, and beneficial to each generation.
Barbara StClaire-Ostwald, MA,BSc (Hons), is a Master Executive Coach & Supervisor, Interculturalist and expert in Trauma Sensitive Coaching and Neuroscience. She works with many individuals and groups around the world supporting them through social pressures, decision making, discovering how to let go of the past and understanding their body-mind connection to live full and transformative lives through embodied self-awareness.
For more information visit https://barbarastc.com
Sources:
http://esu-epp.eu/events/the-european-day-of-solidarity-between-generations/
https://tobijohnson.com/intergenerational-volunteer-programs/
