St Agnes Lodge, NSW

Memories of my youth

The intergenerational program was developed in conjunction with Mount Carmel House residents and St Josephs Primary School, Port Macquarie, to improve and foster ways of bridging the intergenerational gap.

The program was devised to assist Mt Carmel residents, who have little or no contact with the youth of today. The aims and objectives of the program are to develop and nurture a bond between young and old, using integrated resources within the catholic parish and then expand to the broader community.

Mount Carmel residents have joined school students at different events and locations linking together for projects such as the memories book project, cross country, kindergarten circus day, swimming carnival, mothers day liturgy, beginning/end of year gifting school masses, garden club, horse races day, school choir, computer lessons, fathers day liturgy, history discussions, internet class, cultural day, games morning, Christmas concerts, catholic schools week, Ester liturgy, grandparents day and seniors week.

The residents have benefited from intergenerational engagement. Serving as mentors, they are provided with invaluable opportunities to remain useful and vital and make a positive difference in their communities.

The visits have provided students with the opportunity to think about their own attitudes towards the ageing population and the images of ageing. The children also wished to learn more about the many older people living in their community.