Care Home Representatives Network Meeting

Online Meeting Using Zoom

Welcome

Nicola welcomed everyone to the meeting, along with an introduction of Generations Working Together and why we invited everyone to our Care Home Representatives Network Meeting.

Please see https://generationsworkingtogether.org/about/ for more information about us.

Nicola hosted around the screen introductions from everyone.

What Exactly Is An Intergenerational Project?

Louisa explained the 7 Levels of Intergenerational Practice (Please see attached)

How Can We Become More Confident To Deliver A Project?

Nicola discussed the range of Intergenerational Training available from Generations Working Together to allow everyone the opportunity to become more confident in your knowledge and confidence in delivering an Intergenerational Project and its many benefits to residents, staff, community and partners.

Training courses are available to suit everyone, for those coming totally new to intergenerational work looking for a basic introduction to opportunities for people planning projects and wanting to learn more about an intergenerational approach.

One day online training course has been recently refreshed and updated bringing new activities and topics to the fore. These are planned to run monthly. Our next one day course is Wednesday 18th November 2020 to find out more and book your place, please do so here One day online training course.

We also now have a FREE introductory training course on Intergenerational Work and Overcoming Ageism Through an Intergenerational Lens. Planning Intergenerational Solutions and Intergenerational Place and Spaces will be coming soon. Please register for these online https://generationsworkingtogether.org/training/online-training/.

Nicola also discussed with the group our IDIL 7 Week Online Course, aimed at anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Intergenerational Work, its purpose, impact, and practical application. This course is an accredited online course with Generations Working Together in partnership with the University of Granada.

For more details and to view upcoming dates International-certificate-in-intergenerational-learning

How Can We Engage In The Current Climate?

Sarah delivered a power point presentation on Staying Digitally Connected.

Discussing Abilitynet, My Computer My Way which shows people how to adapt their computer using the accessibility features built into their operating system.

Sarah also covered the range of online resources which allow users access to Free courses designed to help beginners get started with the online basics.

abilitynet.org.uk

Lead Scotland

www.goodthingsfoundation.org/learn-my-way

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/

Sarah discussed our response to Covid-19 which was aided by additional funding allocated by the Scottish Government giving us much needed resources to engage with members and communities, to find practical ways through technology, paper, telephones, radio and television to reconnect younger and older generations. Part of this response saw the creation of a new directory of resources for intergenerational work, additional support given to care home staff and the opportunity to build partnerships with private businesses and tech companies like BITC and Verizon who volunteered their time to research and produce this guide.

Connecting-generations-online-safely

The team at Generations Working Together have prepared a directory to share ideas and resources, digital accessibility, and safety during the Covid-19 crisis.

Even though we have been distancing physically, there are still many ways that younger and older people can connect. Generations Working Together have been compiling a list of resources and ideas that you can use. During telephone discussions with Care Homes throughout Scotland, this resource guide has become invaluable to many Care Homes. Our 3rd edition directory will be available in December. For our first and second editions directories please see our website https://generationsworkingtogether.org/resources/directory-of-intergenerational-ideas-and-resources-for-use-during-covid-19-crisis

What About Afterwards, When We Can Meet In Person Again How Do We Get The Young People To Visit?

After discussions Nicola covered the most common barriers at present and solutions. The most common barrier prior to Covid-19 was lack of transport to connect residents and younger generations.

Nicola advised the group about the importance of partnerships and the opportunities it can create. Community Vehicle Grants – will provide capital funding for a vehicle to support the work of charities, an opportunity to form a partnership, making connections and working alongside a local youth group who could qualify for a grant and care homes can benefit from transport also.

https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/community-vehicle-grants/

Discussions also took place in regard to connecting with groups such as https://cyclingwithoutage.scot/ and the fantastic work https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/spokes-folks do to connect generations.

Nicola also suggested connecting with schools and nurseries to use their Health & Wellbeing ‘Mile a Day’ by inviting children to walk to Care Homes. This can be introduced at present, by inviting children to wave to residents through windows at the moment, beginning the initial connection between generations while face to face visits are not permitted.

Conversations also took place in regard to https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/about-us/scotland connecting a Care Home residents and school children to take part in a walking challenge and liaising with each other by letters and postcards to update on their challenge progress.

Who Is Going To Pay For All Of This?

Louisa discussed ways to think creatively to introduce projects which will excite residents and engage in a project they can relate to. Some of which included looking for support from other charities. for example: Supporting Military Veterans in Residential Care – do you have a veteran living with you? Consider that many of your residents may have been of an age to undertake their national service. Could you do a special project with the schools about serving in the forces, then and now. The Veterans organisations could perhaps supply reminiscing resources and then financial funding might not need to be applied for.

For the women, did any have links with the Scottish Women’s Rural Institute (SWRI), have they skills that can be shared with young people. For residents who had a scientific background, they may like to share their passion with older children – then get in touch with the Royal Society of Chemistry for funding for your project – ask the residents what projects they would like to pursue.

Louisa directed everyone to view a list of funders on the GWT website and to contact GWT direct to see if they know of any local funders in your area. https://generationsworkingtogether.org/resources/?k=funding

Another option discussed is to Create a ‘Friends Association’ for the Care Home. Care Home Friends and Family (Fans) have produced a guide on how to identify possible partners. http://carehomefans.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CHFaNs_Step2.pdf

Louisa advised everyone to remember the key points when filling in Funding Application Forms Remember: Who, What, Why, How, Where, When

Working in partnership to generate funds, asking local businesses to support by providing goods, Parent Council groups to engage in fund raising events.

I think I might need some help/support with all this

Louisa explained GWT staff offer support and signposting for intergenerational projects, from conception to evaluation.

There are many activities and projects which are presently taking place across Scotland connecting younger and older people. From infants visiting care homes with their childminder or parent to experience music/sensory classes to Book Bug sessions with the residents. To nursery children visiting Day Centres for older people and sharing activities together of art/craft work or gardening or make believe and story-telling. Primary school children visit care homes, share bingo sessions or do joint history projects, gardening or cooking together. Youth organisations and individual young people also share time with the older generation in various activities from walks to tea dances, to learning a new instrument like the IG ukulele club or being members of an IG choir. Mentoring happens at many high schools where a group of adults' mentors in either academic subjects or help prepare for university or for a particular job role after school or mentoring/buddying for an interest like fishing or pigeon keeping.

Projects come in all shapes and sizes and have continued throughout the pandemic via virtual platforms. Some examples of projects include:

The Lockdown Care Home Ceilidh

Intergenerational Virtual Choir

Intergenerational Live music sessions

Gangster Grannies & Grandads

Intergenerational Bingo

Pom-Pom Rainbows

Intergenerational Newsletters

Virtual walks

Virtual Knit and Natter

Intergenerational Penpals

Postcards of Kindness, Art Exchange Postcards

Next Area Network Meeting

Please view https://generationsworkingtogether.org/networks/ to keep up to date with what is happening in your area and dates of upcoming local Network Meetings.

What is Next

For more detailed information on any of the above, please connect with

Generations Working Together at any time. We will be holding our next Care Home Representatives Network Meeting in January 2021, date and time TBC.