The Benefits Of Intergenerational Connections For All Ages
As we mark Global Intergenerational Week this week, a care home in Sevenoaks is proving how valuable intergenerational connections are between the young and the elderly.
Pupils from Sevenoaks School have visited Kippingtons Nursing Home weekly since 2022 and have enjoyed getting involved in a variety of activities from chatting and playing games to painting nails. These intergenerational bonds can benefit residents by combatting loneliness, improving mental and physical well-being, and promoting mutual learning between generations.
Here’s what the students have to say about their experiences at the home:
- What do you enjoy about your visits to Kippingtons?
It’s such a friendly place with lovely staff and it’s such a positive experience. Everyone is welcoming and it is a very friendly environment to return to.
- What activities do you do with the residents?
Making of Christmas decorations was lots of fun. Our visits consist mainly of talking and exchanging experiences with the residents.
- What plans do you have for future visits?
We would love to enjoy a group game of scrabble, and other cognitive enhancing games.
- What inspires you to start a career in the care sector?
Dedicating a day to others is fulfilling and understanding people’s life history is enriching. These are things that we enjoy when we visit Kippington and would enjoy with a career in the care sector.
- What is your favourite thing about the home?
The residents! But our favourite thing is to have key connections with those that live at Kippingtons, its why we return every week.
Paul Harvey, Sixth Form Divisional Head at Sevenoaks School said, “I am delighted that we have regular visits to Kippingtons. Our Sixth Formers enjoy their visits; as they adapt to their new home (in a boarding house) and schoolwork, they also benefit from visiting the home every Thursday to give their time, empathy, and humour to the residents. As I have seen for myself, they do a wonderful job, joining in with activities, listening and chatting, building relationships from week to week. I know from their conversations with me how important these visits are to them; they know they are using and developing aspects of themselves beyond their academic skills.”
Esther Appiah, Home Manager at Kippingtons commented, “to have visits in care homes from the schools and the younger generation is the most valuable interaction that can happen with our residents. We have been delighted to accept this weekly visit from Sevenoaks school. The girls, when they visit, have been so very wonderful and bring with them a sense of joy to the home.”
