Intergenerational initiatives
Campbelltown is an intergenerational community, with residents across the age spectrum from newborn babies to more than a dozen centenarians, and everyone in between!
Council supports intergenerational projects and initiatives that bring people together for mutual benefit, connection and understanding and actively supports the community in undertaking these activities.
Intergenerational activities can be highly planned projects, a regular group meeting each week, a one-off activity or a connection between neighbours of different ages.
Why are intergenerational relationships important?
Our society, community and family make-ups have changed drastically over the last few decades. In the past, intergenerational activity might have seemed more natural or easier, with families and people of different generations living in closer contact and knowing everyone in 'your area', both young and old. We are now living longer within an increasingly ageing and urbanised society, and opportunities for positive relationship building between the generations can become less accessible. Issues such as ageism (negative stereotyping or discrimination based on age group), social isolation, loneliness and digital exclusion are becoming increasingly prevalent across the age spectrum.
Get involved
Intergenerational playgroups are a perfect opportunity to bring different generations together for some fun and friendship.
Join in the fun at:
- Resthaven Paradise, 61 Silkes Road, Paradise
Wednesdays (Weekly), 10 am to 11 am
RSVP to Malina or Thuy-Anh on 08 8154 8400
For more information, contact Bianca Connelly bconnelly@campbelltown.sa.gov.au or 08 8366 9272.
Charles Campbell College's Community Mentoring Program is a program that helps the students at the school. Students build a trusting relationship with a caring volunteer mentor. The volunteer helps by guiding, supporting and encouraging the student.
By giving one hour of your time to a student each week during the school term, volunteers can make a significant impact on a young person’s life. There are benefits to both the volunteer and the student. A win-win for younger and older people!
For more information on this initiative, contact Katie from Charles Campbell College on Katie.Rogers99@schools.sa.edu.au.
Examples of intergenerational practice in Campbelltown
North East Salvos have partnered with Resthaven Paradise to trial a new intergenerational playgroup. Bringing 3-4 year olds and their families together with Resthaven residents, the group have enjoyed activities and stories to begin the journey of connection and building intergenerational relationships.
ACH Milpara connected with il nido Children’s Centre Kindergarten children late in 2022 to trial a series of intergenerational get-togethers to build connection and understanding between the groups.
Dedicated kindy staff worked beautifully with the children and older Milpara residents to bring them together in laughter, activity and fun. Some older residents had not attended a social program activity before, but the opportunity to connect with young children was too exciting an opportunity to miss! The two groups hope to re-establish the program in 2023 and continue developing this intergenerational initiative.
Thursday mornings are playgroup mornings, where parents, grandparents and carers and their little ones come to enjoy a time of caring and sharing. Activities are varied, and the program includes free play, music and games, story time and age-appropriate crafts. Often it is grandparents bringing grandchildren, connecting with other parents in a truly intergenerational setting.
Playgroup is not only great for children to learn to engage with other children and adults of all ages. It is also great for carers who might be feeling isolated, lonely or uncertain about aspects of child-raising to share with other parents and volunteers in a safe and caring environment.
If you would like more information, contact Magill Church of Christ on 8332 6044 and leave a message if unattended, or email magillcoc@gmail.com.
As part of Council’s Intergenerational Grants Round 2023, Athelstone School partnered with the Community Shed, run by the Rotary Club of Morialta, to build a Little Library to be installed at the school.
Students at the school attended the workshop and working with some of the members at the Shed, helped to build the Little Library.
The Library will be installed early in 2024 and will be used by Athelstone residents to share books and build a love of literacy.
In 2023, Campbelltown Council launched a trial round of Intergenerational Grants to encourage community groups, schools and residents to participate in intergenerational activities.
Six grants were approved and held late in 2023:
- Regular Play Dates – Milpara ACH Residential Aged Care and Il Nido Children’s Centre Kindergarten class
- Grandparents and Older Friends day at Jescott Montessori Magill
- Community Garden Activity – Athelstone Community Garden and Thorndon Park Kindergarten
- Little Library – Athelstone Primary School and the Community Shed
- Craft Activity Day – U3A Campbelltown and Athelstone Kindergarten
- Intergenerational Playgroup – onsite at Resthaven Paradise