Over the years the Intergenerational roundtable action team has participated in many activities in the community that have encouraged connection between children and seniors. The key to the success of the QCEWS intergenerational programs is that people young and old, are given an opportunity to try something new in good company and have fun doing it. We learn from each other. Learning builds trust, acceptance and caring which is what we all want in an intergenerational community.
Kids aged 10 to 16 participated in introduction to FOODSAFE followed by weekly cooking classes. The families of the kids were invited to stay for the 3 course meal each week and the kids would serve them and clean up afterwards.
Under the mentorship of musicians from the Seniors Centre Ukulele Group. Kids aged 6 and up, along with parents participated in weekly group lessons with loaned Ukulele’s from Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association (ACRA). Many students ended up purchasing their own Ukulele and continued to play on their own once classes were complete.
Kids aged 8 and up, along with parents joined together in weekly knitting classes with members of the Seniors Centre. Attendees learned single and double knitting and plain and purl stitches. Some wonderfully colourful creations and new friendships were made.
This roundtable action team started when parents with young children connected with a local residential care home to spend time with the seniors playing board games, singing songs, reading stories, painting and crafting. Activities vary depending upon the the season and time of year. We love to celebrate events like Easter, Valentines Day, Canada Day, Halloween and Holidays.
One of the QCEWS families, active in youth soccer, were keen to adopt a European idea of children and families kicking the ball around together in the local park. Family Soccer was created to encourage children and their parents or guardians to get out, have fun and play together. Lots of local families and kids from surrounding area joined in on Friday nights, including mums, dads, sisters and brothers who had never kicked a soccer ball before!