Weekly program connecting generations

Bringing generations together is a key focus in a Beechworth Secondary College program with nearby Beechworth Health Service aged care residents. Four ladies had a delightful time chatting to students for a first-time visit to the school last Thursday. The small cohort was then taken by students on a tour of the school. For Beechworth’s Jane Gardiner the visit brought back memories while she loved seeing the young people in their school environment. The visit to the school followed a student-initiated program started at the beginning of the year where students visit aged care residents in their accommodation once a week. Year 9 students Abby, Shanyia and Summer said they enjoyed visiting aged care residents to hear stories about their life. “I like to go to their residence, have a good chat, put a smile on their faces and make their day, and it makes my day too,” Summer said. Year 12 student Ella Pund said she liked hearing their stories as she learned how different things are today. Teachers Finn Pedersen and Jacob Myers have coordinated the program with recently appointed school nurse Rosemary Dax stepping in to help. “Community is the biggest part of this school and it's been really good for students to get a sense of giving back to the community,” Mr Myers said. With regular weekly visits, Mr Pedersen said the experience needed to be consistent for relationship building by students with the residents. “The core special thing about this school is our connection with the community,” he said. Beechworth Health Service promotion officer Bernadette McCann said it was a lovely, rich and simple program including the first visit by resident to the school. “Students come in their lunch break, they just chat, and we don't have to preplan anything," she said. “There are a few residents who went to Beechworth High School back in the day." Ms McCann said there is a great exchange of stories between residents and students. The program reinforcing the importance of understanding age differences is a key aspect for Ms Dax. “We can't assume people have extended families like we used to and not everyone has grandparents or grandparents living close by," she said. “My job is health promotion and primary health care, and this is about increasing peoples’ mental health and wellbeing as well as resilience and empathy. “These intergenerational programs have shown me this is the way to do it. “I work in Myrtleford as a school nurse as well and have been running these programs for about 10 years." Ms Dax said sharing knowledge builds a real connection between the two generations.

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