Over the past 12 months, Anglesey has developed a number of special projects that have brought generations together.
With the world recently celebrating Global Intergenerational Week (April 24 – April 30), it has provided an opportunity to highlight successful partnership projects.
These are some of the projects that have brought older and younger people together on the Island.
Google Bikes
Ysgol David Hughes pupils have been busy creating Google Bikes (a bicycle adapted into a static, digital bike which is linked with Google Street View) for local Care Homes and Extra Care Services.
This is a partnership project between Cwmpas, Ysgol David Hughes and the Anglesey County Council. The first bikes were installed at Hafan Cefni where the young people trained residents how to use the bike.
Caffi Canu Biwmares
Caffi Canu is a Dementia-Friendly singing group run by Munchkins Môn and based in Canolfan Biwmares. The group was founded in late 2022 thanks to the support of the Age Friendly Anglesey Fund.
Recently the Caffi Canu group came together with another Munchkins Môn group – Singing Mamas, to host a very successful session which used music to bridge the generations between the old and young.
Munchkins Môn founder, Viv Ervine said, “While we sing the babies and children are at the centre of our circle, bathed in our song and held by everyone's attention.
It really brings a feeling of joy and togetherness to spend time with people of different ages and stages of life. Singing is a great way to do this as we can all sing along together whatever our age.”
MIRLI Môn
In March, a selection of Health and Social Care students from Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi volunteered with MIRLI Môn Dementia Support and Activity Group.
The students supported the group’s upcycling and jewellery creation project and at the same time had the valuable opportunity to build on their understanding of dementia.
Ein Hanes Ni – Menter Iaith Môn
‘Ein Hanes Ni’ is a project in partnership between Menter Iaith Môn, the Isle of Anglesey County Council, TeliMôn and the communities of Anglesey.
Its aim is to encourage children of the area to look into how their community has changed over the years (e.g. the buildings, roads, people and language).
It also gives a voice and value to the precious memories held by those older people in the community and educate the next generation on their local history at the same time.
More information here.
Pen Pals – Menter Iaith Môn
This project offers extracurricular Welsh language writing opportunities for children. The project educates the children on the method of writing letters, and nurtures a relationship through words.
The project also offers a unique way of tackling loneliness in the older population, a chance for people to practice their Welsh Language writing skills. One of Menter Iaith Môn’s main aims by running this project is to offer new and consistent opportunities for children and young people to use their Welsh.
Memories Through Art – Seiriol Alliance
The Memories Through Art project is currently running in Llanfaes, Llangoed and Beaumaris. The project sees several generations come together to work with the potter Lyn Gallagher to design a Memory Tile of their favourite memory from their local area.
The project is coordinated by Rhian Hughes, the Intergenerational Officer within the Seiriol Alliance, a post funded through the Regional Integrated Fund (RIF).
Intergenerational work in Amlwch
Many projects held in Amlwch through the support of the #CaruAmlwch community group and the Age-Friendly Anglesey Fund.
With the support of North Wales Police, a group of young people from Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones attended an event at Maes William Williams where they played games such as Bingo and Dominoes with older people of the area. The group of young people then went on to Brwynog Residential Home to take part in a dance session led by Dawns i Bawb.
Other activities have included a competition at the Snooker Club between adults and young players, a project which saw Amlwch Primary School work with the local History Group and a night of entertainment at the Bull Bay Golf Club.
Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones teacher, Nia Edwards added: “These events have made us realise the importance of mixing with people of all ages, we can all learn from each other, and I hope these activities will be able to continue.”
Anglesey’s Age Friendly Communities Development Officer, Sioned Young, said, “There are many excellent intergenerational projects on the Island bringing so many people together to share a wealth of experiences. We’re delighted that a number of these projects have been supported through the Age-Friendly Anglesey Fund. We’re also extremely grateful to all our partners for making these projects possible and, of course, to everyone who takes part – both young and older alike.”For information about these projects, please contact: sionedyoung@ynysmon.llyw.cymru
Ends 2.5.23