LAST WEEK (April 29 and 30), the Commissioner was in Wrexham visiting three innovative projects which foster intergenerational connection, to see firsthand the opportunities available to those living in the local community to create friendships with people of all ages.
The Commissioner spent Wednesday afternoon at the Wrexham Miners Project, before visiting the Book of You’s Care Home Buddy project in Stansty House on Thursday morning, and taking a tour of Coleg Cambria in the afternoon.
Based at the old Mine’s Rescue Centre, the Wrexham Miners Project aims to share the history of coal mining in Wrexham, and regularly invites local schools to learn more about Wrexham’s history. The centre is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who host a variety of activity sessions. The Commissioner spent time speaking with the volunteers about the art classes that they run, which provide people with creative outlets, and bring together people of all ages to share skills and make new connections. The project also offers volunteer and work opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities.
During the Commissioner’s visit to Stansty House the following day, she spent time speaking with one of the ‘buddies’ participating in the Care Home Buddy Project. There are 30 volunteers at the project, who dedicate at least one hour a week to visiting a resident in a care home across north Wales, who otherwise may not receive any visitors. Several care home residents told the Commissioner about the strong bond that they have built with their buddy, and how energised they feel after their visits, where they often get to speak at length about their interests, making them feel seen, heard and valued.
On her final stop in Wrexham, the Commissioner took a tour around the Health and Social Care facility at the Coleg Cambria campus, to see how students are supported in their training for roles in the social care sector. She also had the opportunity to visit the new CAMU Welsh language learning centre, which provide Welsh language courses for people of all ages, and create fun, interactive environments for people to learn effectively.
The Commissioner visited these groups as part of a range of activities planned for Global Intergenerational Week, which celebrates the value of connections between generations and promotes opportunities for shared learning and understanding.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “The past couple of days that I have spent in Wrexham have highlighted to me the number of projects in the area that are organically fostering intergenerational connection, helping to reduce social isolation, and enable friendships to be made across the generations.
“I was deeply moved by the personal testimonies people shared with me, about how these projects feel like home to them.
“One member of Stansty House told me that their buddy, Izzy, felt like a family member, and that they greatly appreciate their chats about books and geography.
“Volunteers at Wrexham Miner’s Project shared similar stories of how much they value the friends that they have made through the art sessions offered at the centre.
“Both the Wrexham Miners Project and the Care Home Buddy Project would not run as successfully as they do without the dedicated group of volunteers who repeatedly give their time to others, creating environments for friendship and connection to bloom.
“These three projects are fantastic examples of organic intergenerational connection, since they naturally attract people of all ages.
“Initiatives such as these help us to understand and interact with people who we many not usually meet, helping us to become a more engaged, tolerant, and socially connected society, reducing isolation and loneliness.”
