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Description
Our experience in working with the local community is that every generation has something to offer other generations, and their knowledge and skills complement each other. During intergeneration learning activities, the participants said they would like to attend permanent classes in which people of various ages could support each other in acquiring new skills. A study we commissioned among people in selected target groups confirmed that this initiative was needed - as many as 90% of people said they supported the idea of taking action of that kind. Under the project, measures will be taken in Grudziądz and its environs to integrate members of the local community in groups facing social exclusion. Through direct contact, senior citizens will pass on skills and knowledge gained in life to younger people (historical knowledge gained through personal experience and practical skills such as DIY, crochet, etc., vocational skills). Young people who are not in work will help schoolchildren in learning certain subjects, based on the knowledge they gained at school. Both of these groups will be involved in conducting learning activities for the seniors regarding basic English and computer skills. Support will be provided in the activities by people who teach professionally. In total, we will organize seven series of learning activities, with between 13 and 25 meetings in each series. The sharing of individual experiences and knowledge will lead to integration and empowerment of those groups and improve the skills of the people for whom the support is provided. Also under the project, people will become volunteers willing to help others. In the project, 24 people of three generations will take part: senior citizens aged 50+ (eight people), unemployed people or people not occupationally active (eight people aged up to 35) and children and young people at school who have problems studying (eight people).
Summary of project results
Working with the local community has shown us that every generation has something to offer others, and that their knowledge and competences are mutually complementary. During cross-generation activities, the participants said they were interested in permanent activities for people of various ages to assist each other in learning new skills. A commissioned survey showed that people in the target groups are in need of this initiative – support for action in this form was as high as 90%.To address this need, we conducted integration measures for 24 people in vulnerable groups – from three generations: senior citizens 50+ (8 people), people unemployed or not professionally active (8 people aged up to 35) and children and young people of school age having difficulties studying (8 people).We held 193 hours of educational and integration activities in which people of the particular age groups shared knowledge and skills with teachers’ assistance: seniors shared with young people skills and knowledge learned in life (history learned through their life experience, practical skills – DIY, locksmith skills, tailoring skills, cooking). Young people not in work assisted schoolchildren in selected subjects using knowledge gained in their own school education (mathematics, physics, Polish language). Both groups were involved in activities for the seniors, concerning English and computer skills. During 32 hours of integration and learning workshops, the participants summarized their role in the activities and formed conclusions about further measures.Participants not only improved their knowledge and practical skills in certain fields (confirmed by tests of skills, end-of-term grades); they also became more confident due to successfully assisting and sharing skills with others. The sharing of their own experiences and knowledge enabled the groups to integrate and become empowered.
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