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Description
According to GUS data, Polish society is ageing at a fast pace. Nowadays, seniors account for over one fifth of all inhabitants of our country. Such a proportion can also be observed in our hometown Wałbrzych. In our work we can often observe the problem of loneliness among the elderly. In our previous project we noticed the impact that individuals aged 60+ and children and youths from social care institutions can have on one another. We saw that young people strongly missed relations filled with love and understanding, while elderly people could feel needed during joint activities. We can see high need for continuing such activities which is why we will organise a cycle of workshops for young people aged 11-19 from social care centres and foster families, for their caregivers, tutors and for seniors. Participants will practise communication skills, including active listening, paraphrasing, giving feedback, educating, the use of non-discriminatory language in daily life. Workshops will help overcome barriers to speaking in public. We will also run dance workshops for everyone. One of the tasks will consist in creating the move and sound alphabet to stimulate imagination and creativity. Then we will organise a dance festival presenting the outcomes of these workshops. We will also organise eco picnics combined with environmental education classes and cleaning up the neighbourhood, inviting the local community to join in.
Summary of project results
The population of Walbrzych (Lower Silesian Voivodeship), as any given population in Poland, is ageing - currently more than 25% of residents are 60+. Among this group, there is a clear problem of loneliness and low social activity. Previous activities of the project organisers indicated that intergenerational relationships could bring significant benefits to both seniors and young people in care facilities. Young people lacked loving and understanding relationships, while older people could feel needed in shared activities.
The project aimed not only to improve the quality of life of these two groups, but also to build intergenerational ties that could prevent social isolation, support the integration of the local community and also offer emotional and educational support.
One of the key elements of the project was workshops for young people and seniors. Young people aged 11-19 took part in a series of workshops:
• Research workshop: Participants gained skills in conducting research, creating diagnoses of social needs and problems. Based on the data collected, recommendations for senior citizens'' policy and models for foster care support were developed.
• Communication and promotion workshops: These classes focused on developing skills in effective communication, active listening, paraphrasing and giving constructive feedback. The aim was to improve the quality of interpersonal relationships and to prepare participants to promote their own social activities.
• Art workshops: These included dance, music and theatre activities that promoted creativity, imagination and the expression of emotions. These workshops not only promoted personal development, but also integrated participants through joint artistic activities.
For the seniors, we prepared workshops aimed at activating and counteracting social isolation. Seniors took part in:
• Handicraft workshops: These activities allowed for the development of manual and artistic skills, as well as integration with the younger participants of the project.
• Computer workshops: Aimed at improving the digital competences of senior citizens, enabling them to function better in modern society.
As part of the project, we also organised inclusive events that were open to the general public, such as:
• Dance festival: an event that promoted physical activity and intergenerational integration through joint dancing and demonstrations.
• Environmental picnics: outdoor gatherings that combined environmental education with fun and social integration. The picnics included workshops on environmental protection, as well as games and activities for children and adults.
In addition, we created a volunteer base - a network of people who were willing to get involved in the community, support the organisation of events and run activities and workshops for different age groups.
The project resulted in the development of recommended models for senior citizens'' policy and foster care support. These documents were based on the results of the youth survey and aimed to identify best practices and proposals for measures to improve the quality of life of seniors and young people.
Our project has had an impact on the local community, especially on seniors and young people in foster care.
The main results of the project can be divided into several categories: educational, integrative, social and political.
• In terms of education, the project has improved the competences of both young people and seniors. Young people participating in research, communication and art workshops gained new skills that they will be able to use in their future professional and personal lives. Seniors, on the other hand, developed their manual and digital skills by taking part in handicraft and computer workshops.
• In terms of integration, we created a space to forge new intergenerational relationships. By organising events such as a dance festival and ecological picnics, senior citizens and young people had the opportunity to spend time together, which contributed to breaking down generational barriers and building stronger social bonds.
• The project also helped to raise public awareness of the problems and needs of seniors and young people in foster care.
• The political outcomes of the project include the development of recommendation models for senior citizens'' policies and foster care support. These documents, based on research conducted by young people, provide valuable guidance to local authorities and NGOs on how to support these social groups more effectively. These recommendations aim to improve the quality of life of seniors and youth in foster care through the implementation of best practices and concrete measures.