Intergenerational arts improve wellbeing, social interactions, communication and collaboration skills and creative thinking. Through benefitting children and older people, Arts & Ages contributes to wider agendas, complementing and enriching curriculums and activity programmes.
Schools
- Children have increased wellbeing and develop social and communication skills
- Children meet groups of older people they wouldn’t usually encounter
- Children present creative work and ideas, sharing their talents and building confidence and self-esteem
- Children work with professional artists, developing creative skills and an understanding of creative careers
- Staff gain understanding and confidence in intergenerational work, and the skills and knowledge needed to welcome groups of older people into the school
- Staff access professional development opportunities through working with Magic Me staff and artists
Older people
- Older people have increased wellbeing and feel engaged with the local community, combatting loneliness and social isolation
- Older people connect with other adults in their accommodation or venue
- Older people present creative work and ideas, sharing their talents and building confidence and self-esteem
- Managers and Activities Coordinators gain an understanding of intergenerational work, the skills needed to welcome groups of children into their venue and confidence to build intergenerational activities into their programmes
- New people are invited into care homes, extra care schemes and sheltered housing, “bringing motivation, energy and life” (Extra Care Scheme Manager)
Everyone
- Talking and creating with a different generation challenges ageist attitudes and misconceptions
- Anyone, from 8 to 88+, can learn skills and experience something new
- People have fun!
WHO’S INVOLVED?
Magic Me
Artists, Project Team, Volunteers
Primary Schools
Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Headteachers
Older People’s Partners
• Care Homes & Extra Care Schemes (Managers, Activities Coordinators)
• Housing Associations (Head Office and local scheme managers)
• Community Centres
Images used for featured images by photographer Samia Meah