In an Organisation where our values: integrity, respect, innovation, and compassion hold great importance, it is essential to foster conversations that transcend boundaries and create positive change. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Bella Kerr, a passionate advocate for a fairer Scotland for older people, at Generations Working Together. Bella's inspiring words and dedication to partnership and listening left a profound impact on me. In this work blog post (I’ll also post on my website), I have explored the power of conversation and collaboration in transforming communities and bridging the gap between generations.
1. Reimagining Play: Breaking Age Barriers
Bella highlighted the need to reimagine play and playgrounds to include older people. Why should these spaces be limited to a specific age group? Bella stressed the importance of connection and engagement across all ages, emphasising that playgrounds can bring people together. Through partnerships and community involvement, we can create open and inclusive spaces where individuals of all ages feel connected and involved.
2. One Voice, Many Thoughts: The Power of Collective Action
Bella's quote, "One voice brings thought; many thoughts bring change," resonated deeply. She shared an inspiring example from Helensburgh, Scotland, where people from various age groups, including young children, older adults, parents, and youth, united to address issues in their community with cracked pavements. By working together and raising their collective voice with council, they successfully advocated for change and brought attention to the importance of inclusivity and collaboration.
3. Tackling Ageism: Listening, Learning, and Changing Perceptions
Bella shed light on ageism, a prevalent issue affecting both older and younger individuals. She emphasized the value of older people's life stories and the need for society to listen more attentively. Bella's efforts in writing resources and leading training sessions on ageism aim to challenge preconceived notions and foster understanding between generations. By acknowledging shared experiences and promoting empathy, we can combat ageism one conversation at a time.
4. Creating Intergenerational Connections: A Pathway to Change
Bella discussed the significance of intergenerational connections, particularly between aged care homes and primary schools. By incorporating questions that evoke nostalgic memories and encouraging conversations that bridge the generation gap, Bella seeks to foster a deeper understanding and connection between older and younger people. The power of reminiscing and storytelling can help both sides appreciate each other's experiences and perspectives. two cheeky questions to older people was “when was the last time you snogged” and “what naughty things did you get up to in your youth?”
5. Embracing Joy and Connectedness: The Eden Project
The Eden Project, a UK initiative, aims to promote joy and connectedness through street lunches and small acts of kindness. Bella shared how little pots of plants called "pots of kindness" were distributed to older people in the community. Such initiatives create opportunities for neighbours to come together, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening community bonds. Implementing similar projects in our home services can bring immense beauty to our communities.
6. Celebrating Life and Death: A Shift in Residential Care Homes
The conversation also touched upon the evolving approach to care in residential care homes. Moving beyond the social model, RCHs are now more reflective of a medical model with the age, complexity of health and life expectancy of older people as they move in. There is a growing need to train caregivers not only in providing everyday care but also in celebrating the last years of one's life. This shift acknowledges the importance of embracing the entire lifespan and creating meaningful experiences for older individuals.
Conclusion:
Meeting Bella and engaging in conversations that spanned our pillars of strategic planning was an enlightening experience. Through her work at Generations Working Together, Bella champions partnership, listening, and breaking age barriers. By embracing these values and engaging in meaningful conversations, we can foster positive change in our communities. Let us strive to see people beyond their age, celebrate diversity, and build a future where every voice is heard, respected, and valued.
Thank you, Bella, and thank you, Generations Working Together, for your unwavering dedication and inspiring work. Together, we can make a difference and create a society that embraces the strength and wisdom of every generation.
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