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Global Intergenerational Week NI Launch

12 April 2022

Global Intergenerational Week NI Launch

GIG Week NI Launch

Back Row L-R: Vicki Titterington (LGNI, Director), Cllr Robert Adair (Dep Mayor, North Down & Ards), Eddie Lynch (Commissioner for Older People for N Ireland), Koulla Yiasouma (The N Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People) , Sharon Parker (St Comgall’s PS)  with staff & residents from Bryansburn Care Home & St Comgall’s PS pupils    

Linking Generations NI, is the local organisation spearheading Intergenerational Week in N Ireland. It promotes and supports linkages and connections between the generations and believes that intergenerational connections thrive best when communities are empowered with the tools and expertise to grow and nourish them from within.

Vicki Titterington, LGNI’s Director explained:

“This is the third year of our involvement with Intergenerational Week and in 2022 we are excited to be part of a global event which has grown with partners not just across the UK but also across Europe, North America and as far away as Australia. 

We are delighted that the Commissioners could join us and to give the week their valued support in recognition that intergenerational connections are needed more than ever.

It has been a very difficult period to sustain relationships between the young and old, in the traditional face to face format which we were so used to. However, the pandemic has not only presented challenges but so many opportunities to engage virtually and to be more creative in how we go about it, keeping everyone safe in the process”. 

She continued… The first ever ‘Global Intergenerational Week’ which is running from 25 April – 1 May showcases our local projects on a global stage. We have 28 projects earmarked to take part through our ‘All Ages April’ small grants scheme (funded by Public Health Agency) and it is not too late to take part as we are encouraging individuals, groups and schools to get on board by downloading our resources to run their own intergenerational activities during the week and to attend our online events showcasing some wonderful local intergenerational champions.

We’ve had fantastic intergenerational projects previously including: music, arts and crafts, planting projects, bushcraft and baking etc    Being here at Bryansburn Care Home is the perfect example of how to get involved and to make those vital connections in our communities for everyone’s benefit”.        

St Comgall’s Primary School, Bangor, have successfully run numerous events to link with local care homes.

Sharon Parker, (teacher) from St Comgall’s commented: “We really pride ourselves as being a caring school and thinking of others.  These priceless links with our pupils in their local community are so beneficial in teaching children about being active citizens and life-long learners and looking out for one another. These are all key skill areas for development and everyone gets so much out of these joint activities”.

At the launch the Commissioners shared why they thought the Global Intergenerational Week was important for our local communities.

Eddie Lynch, Commissioner for Older People for N Ireland said “This week celebrates and embeds the role of older people in our communities and how they can contribute in so many ways with the younger generation when they are given the opportunity to be involved, and encouraged to do so.  The intergenerational benefits experienced by older people, and those they connect with, have been well documented as these vital connections all play a part in contributing to a healthier society and a sense of well-being which cannot be underestimated”. 

Koulla Yiasouma, The N Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People stated:

“Our children and young people are to be commended for being so positive and enthusiastic about intergenerational activity whenever they are given the opportunity to do so. There is a notable empathy between the generations and a realisation that so much can be appreciated and learned from one another while having fun and developing confidence through self-expression. St Comgall’s are doing sterling work in this area with the positive energy being palpable today”.

Vicki concludedWe are always motivated by the comments of how participants have consistently cited how they have really enjoyed exploring common intergenerational interests and sharing their knowledge and experiences together.  Going forward after this week I believe we need to see intergenerational and Age-friendly approaches being incorporated into everyday practice within the communities we live, work and go to school in. 

We are encouraging everyone in the community to join with us this year through our resources and online events to get involved and to share what they are doing on social media to make it a truly memorable and intergenerational celebration”.

 

Resources are available from:

https://www.linkinggenerationsni.com/resources/

 

Register for LGNI events during the week:

https://www.linkinggenerationsni.com/whats-on/


Launch Media Release