Gilnahirk P7 Pupils Spread joy

Gilnahirk primary school has taken part in a Linking Generations NI (LGNI), intergenerational project which has been well received by the local elderly community. They have taken great care and potted uplifting primroses to brighten the day of their elderly neighbours accompanied with carefully crafted hand-made cards.

The project is part of a range of intergenerational projects currently running through Linking Generations NI ‘All Ages April’ small grants scheme.

Mr Corbett, the Principal of Gilnahirk Primary said “After the isolation experienced by many of our elderly relatives, friends and neighbours over the last two years, now more than ever we need to encourage our children and young people to connect again with the older generations. Gilnahirk Primary P7 pupils were proud to play a small part in that reconnection. The flowers they planted and delivered were so gratefully received, bringing light to many people’s days and the children experienced a great sense of satisfaction in having had such an impact on others”.

LGNI were recently running an age awareness session with pupils and during the training being delivered by Development Worker, Lynn Heatley she was informed that a local 92 year old resident had contacted the school to say.

“I was so happy to receive the flowers and the letter. It has made such a difference to me and the gesture is still making me smile”.

Lynn responded: “It’s so heartening to hear the positive feedback from projects like Gilnahirk Primary’s and the huge impact it makes.  We are about to embark on our first Global Intergenerational Week 25 April – 1 May and we are encouraging everyone to do their bit to link generations in their own locality.  We are also thrilled to work with all our partners to make this happen”.

LGNI have a range of resources for intergenerational activities and they have paired with a local educational organisation, Twinkl who provide learning resources for educators.  Twinkl have prepared intergenerational activity powerpoints especially for Global Intergenerational Week, which are key stage specific.

Zara McCusker from Twinkl commented: I’ve felt privileged to work alongside Linking Generations NI, to create some exciting resources for teachers and parents to use, all about Global Intergenerational Week and what Linking Generations NI does. There are creative, interactive PowerPoints and lots of accompanying activity sheets and ideas which teachers and parents can use to help connect generations across communities here in Northern Ireland. We are so excited to see where this partnership goes in the future!