Intergenerational Week at Oakland Care

What is Intergenerational Week? 

Intergenerational Week 2023 is a week-long celebration of different generations and the relationships between them. It is an opportunity to engage in activities and experiences that promote interaction and understanding between people of different ages.

The Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships 

Intergenerational interaction is extremely beneficial and supports the belief that each generation can learn from the other. Young people have a lot to gain from spending time with older generations, learning from their life experiences and wisdom. Similarly, older generations can learn from younger people, who may have a better understanding of modern technology or who can provide a fresh perspective on current issues. One of the important themes of Intergenerational Week 2023 is the concept of “Growing Together”. This theme recognises that each generation can benefit from interacting with others, and that these interactions can help us all grow, learn, and thrive.

Oakland Care promotes intergenerational involvement year-round as we understand its importance and the benefits of it for our residents.

How Oakland Care Supports Intergenerational Relationship Building

Our Beechwood Grove care home recently had the pleasure of welcoming 9 year old Heidi on work experience. Heidi, the daughter of care home manager Dean, worked alongside our Lifestyles team and also spent time assisting residents’ with some of their daily activities, one of which was flower arranging with Patty, a resident at Beechwood Grove. Both Heidi and our residents gained so much from the experience.

Our Elmbrook Court care home benefits from visits from a parent and baby group on a regular basis. One of our residents, in particular has found the experience incredibly rewarding. Margaret worked at a playgroup for 15 years and the parent and baby group triggers many happy memories for her. The interaction with the babies and young children has been incredibly therapeutic for her, after suffering from a significant stroke, as it relaxes her and she finds it easier to form words and sentences when around the little ones.

Woodland Grove has enjoyed a three-month project with pupils from Davenant Foundation School. The students have attended our home on numerous occasions and have built some precious and worthwhile relationships with our residents by helping them with activities and spending time with them. The benefits this has had for both the residents and the pupils has been amazing and heart-warming.

Oakland Care is working hard to start including intergenerational activities in all of our homes to support our residents and young people in our communities.

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