East Dunbartonshire Intergenerational Event

Connecting Generations, organised by the East Dunbartonshire Generations Working Together Network, saw several organisations and community groups come together including East Dunbartonshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, Zero Waste Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Culture and Leisure Trust, Citizen Advice Bureau, OPAL, Police Scotland, Food Co-op, the Dementia Network, the Public Partnership Forum and the NHS Health Improvement Team, War Memorabilia exhibition

Over 120 people took part including pupils from Turnbull High School, Douglas Academy, Bishopbriggs Academy, Lenzie Academy, Kirkintilloch High School, St Ninian’s High School and Moss Head Primary School along with members of Kirkintilloch and District Seniors Forum as well as Bishopbriggs Seniors Forum.

A number of workshops were held during the day including intergenerational Zumba, intergenerational knitting, tablets and technology and memory boxes and oral history interviews conducted by Turnbull High School and an external film company.

There were also musical performances and presentations from secondary and primary school children with songs and memories from both World Wars, a Saltire Award ceremony and the chance to take part in an intergenerational quiz.

Scott Lafferty (EDVA) stated: “This was a real community success. The event has enabled different generations to listen and learn from each other, recognising each other’s lived experiences and positive contributions to East Dunbartonshire. In doing so, they have challenged and explored some of the stereotypes and assumptions that exist, helping to enhance the existing sense of community that East Dunbartonshire has. The focus going into the future for the East Dunbartonshire Generations Working Together Network and its respective partners is how we harness the ideas, relationships and appetite that this event has created into sustainable and meaningful intergenerational practice across East Dunbartonshire for the longer term. East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action was delighted to take part in such a positive and forward-thinking event.”