A multi-generational initiative is creating connections across the ages.
A group of Grade 5 students at Ecole Stonewall Centennial School is participating in the GrandPals program along with four older adult volunteers from the community.
Grade 5 students at École Stonewall Centennial are taking part in the GrandPals program alongside community volunteers. The intergenerational initiative is designed to create connections between students and older adults through eight engaging sessions. Left to right: Volunteer Bunny Williamson with students Oakley, Willow, Kinley, Harper and Riker
One of those volunteers is Flo Bambenek, who outlined the impetus for the program.
“The GrandPals program is an exciting initiative that connects older adults in our community with students in our school,” she said. “The aim is to create meaningful intergenerational relationships that benefit both the older adult and the student.”
These relationships are nurtured through eight engaging sessions throughout the winter, starting with the first session that took place on Jan. 13.
“Each session focuses on different aspects of life, learning and shared experiences,” Bambenek said.
“This intergenerational program is the first in our community, and we are hopeful to have the opportunity to organize more in the future.”
Bambenek is also a member of the South Interlake 55 Plus program committee, which is always looking for new and innovative programs for its members. While researching program ideas, she stumbled across GrandPals.
“I was intrigued. I contacted the founder of the program Marc Mailhot and had several conversations at which time I learned that Manitoba had run this program in various communities in the past few years,” she said. “Furthermore, Active Aging in Manitoba is the organization who coordinates the program with the schools and the GrandPal volunteer participants.”
Linda Brown, executive director of Active Aging in Manitoba, said the organization added the program as a way to help support older adults to make social connections in their community.
“Our experience in offering GrandPals in other communities has demonstrated the value of the connections that are formed from both the students and the older adults,” Brown said. “Research around social connections confirms the physical and mental health benefits for older adults.”
Once a week for eight weeks, Bambenek and the other three volunteers meet with the students of Aileen Wadge’s Grade 5 class. They engage in discussions about topics including home, family, learning, work and travel.
A celebration will wrap up the initiative, complete with presentations from the students about what they learned over the two months of get-togethers.
“This is an opportunity for older adults to interact with young people. It will bridge a gap between the ages in a friendly and open environment, which will allow for meaningful engagement — both for the student and the GrandPal,” Bambenek said.
“I expect a friendship will develop between the students and GrandPals. It may open up an opportunity to feel what it is like to be an older adult while the GrandPal will feel what it is like to be a student in this time. I expect the students will have lasting memories of this experience which will assist them with their own life.”
She also points out that some GrandPals might be grandparents who don’t get to see their own grandchildren very often due to distance. It might also be possible that some students don’t have grandparents anymore if they have passed away.
“This program will give each group an opportunity to step into the respective roles, which will warm their hearts to no end,” she said. “The program will enhance an appreciation for each other regardless of age.”
Grade 5 teacher Aileen Wadge shared similar sentiments about the benefits of the program.
“An email came across my desk and I thought it would be a great experience for the students to interact with seniors,” she said.
“We brainstormed some things that the students thought might be interested to know, like what was it like when they were in middle school? What was their first vehicle? Did they have a lot of chores and responsibilities when they were young?”
During their first session, the class split up into four groups led by a GrandPal volunteer, who brought photos and mementos to share with the students. Both generations asked lots of questions to get to know each other.
The students also expressed enthusiasm during the first meet-up.
“I like to learn about how other people lived their lives,” said one student. “It’s interesting to know what’s different between now and then.”
“I like talking to new people and learning about what they did as a child,” said another. “I like hearing about what they used to do and knowing more about them.”
In addition to sparking new friendships across generations, the program also ties into some learning objectives for the class.
“I think it will be good for the students to practise speaking and listening to other people, practise basic social skills like looking at the speaker, ask for clarification if needed and be a good listener,” Wadge said.
“I am using this an authentic way for the students to learn a new type of writing. We are learning about biographies and how to make and ask interesting questions. As a final project, my students will be making a biography picture book of the GrandPal. I am hoping that this will be as special and meaningful as my imagination thinks it will be.”
If this session of GrandPals works out well, South Interlake 55 Plus will look at running it again in the future. More information will be available by contacting the organization at 1-204-467-2582 or by staying tuned for when GrandPal volunteers might be needed again.
