Across Borders & Generations Groups Share Learning!

Across Borders & Generations Groups Share Learning!

On Saturday 3rd of February our Across Borders and Generations Project intergenerational groups met at Bagenal's Castle Newry to discuss their progress, share learning and have some fun!  Mayobridge Youth Club members attended with older people from Mayobridge (seniors group and mens shed) their Youth Worker and the Southern Age Well Network Development Worker.  Young people from Foroige Balbriggan attended with older people from Balbriggan, their Youth Worker and Fingal County Council Staff.

The day began with a fun icebreaker facilitated by the Foroige Youth with everyone having a laugh and getting to know one another.

Each group then presented their progress and journeys so far.  The Balbriggan group have been exploring their local area taking part in fun activities as well as developing a survey that they hope to use to improve local facilities for people of all ages.  The Mayobridge group have enjoyed linking not only across generations but by opening up their groups with some of the older women and youth taking part in the Men's Shed activities and vice versa.

It was great to see the variety of activities and also to hear about some of the outcomes, unintended outcomes and also challenges faced.  It was agreed that this sharing of learning would inform and  support the groups activities over the remainder of the project.

LGNI split the groups into their own respective areas (Mayobridge and Balbriggan) to have a chat and gather some feedback on participants experience so far.  Facilitated by LGNI, Foroige and Fingal County Council staff discussions were had with reference to Ageism, Community Cohesion, Personal Benefits and moving forward.  LGNI also provided a 'Postbox' for individual and anonymous feedback that would inform the remainder of the project and evaluation over a fabulous working lunch!

Throughout the day our videographers from Avila Media interviewed participants and filmed the activities in preparation for our project video diary.

The day finished off with a jewellery making workshop and opportunity to have a tour of the Bagenal's Castle venue.  Everyone enjoyed helping each other with making bird nest necklaces with copper wire and coloured beads.  The group even learned the symbolism of the colour turquoise which is good for communication and the birds nest symbolising connection and family.

Overall a fab day was had by all and we look forward to our next session on the 23rd March!

For more info on the overall project visit the project page Across Borders & Generations Project – Linking Generations NI