Since March 2020, Magic Me’s projects have been delivered from a distance and we have found new ways to bring older and younger people together through creative activities. During this time, we introduced project newsletters to keep older participants, care staff and families up-to-date on activities and share messages and artworks from one generation to another.
We received positive feedback on the introduction of project newsletters, with many older participants commenting how they had helped them feel more connected to a different generation, and other older adults they would usually be seeing on a weekly basis. Following this feedback, in October 2020 we created the Magic Monthly newsletter.
Magic Monthly began as a way to continue engaging with older participants living independently during a time when projects were postponed due to COVID-19. Through the newsletter emerged a series of ‘group conference calls’, which took place between October – December 2020. Facilitated by Magic Me staff, 14 older participants came together in small groups over the phone to discuss the latest newsletter and have a general catch-up with one another.
“It’s lovely just to hear all your voices again.”
Older Participant from Magic Me’s group calls
Each month the newsletter includes updates from across the organisation, creative activities, opportunities to share messages, local news and information on older people’s services. With many older people having limited access to the internet, the newsletter has provided essential information during the pandemic as well as opportunities to be creative.
In the next few months we are continuing to deliver projects remotely and adapt to new ways of working with intergenerational groups,. The Magic Monthly newsletter will help older participants stay connected to Magic Me as well as their local community.
Find out how you can support us to keep posting newsletters every month.