Intergenerational Programmes

The Third Age has long recognised the value of a good relationship between young and old as contributing to the well-being of society, to healthy ageing and to the elimination of ageism. We are constantly identifying opportunities to help bring young people and older people together enabling mutual communication, teaching and learning.

Third Age has excellent links with Dangan National School, Summerhill. A strong emphasis in the revised primary school curriculum is placed on the exploration of the child’s personal and family history and local environment. This emphasis has created a space for older people to contribute either as classroom visitors or partners in intergenerational programmes.

Such initiatives in the past included ‘Reflections’ a five month project which used arts and crafts to explore mutual attitudes of young and old. In another project ‘Back to School’ Third Age members shared memories of their school days with today’s pupils, and a third project ‘Living History’ created a live web link exchanging views between young and old on changes in education