“I think for any older person who hasn’t got people around them, this program is just fantastic. They look forward to doing it every week. You can hear the excitement in their voices as they chat with the year six students. You can feel that excitement, their engagement – it’s just a great program!” – Betty Humphrey’s, In2Generations Program participant
After last year’s success, LiveBetter is excited to once again partner with Inclusee and All Hallows’ School, Brisbane, to run the groundbreaking In2Generations, a program that’s bringing our older and younger generations together.
Inspired by the ABC television series Old People’s Home for Four-Year-Olds, In2Generations aims to address the increasing levels of social isolation and loneliness in older Australians and foster friendship and understanding between the generations.
Research has shown that loneliness can have a very real effect on both our physical and mental health, and as we age, and our routines and lifestyles change, we can find ourselves becoming increasingly lonely and isolated.
“A third of all senior Australians live alone and may experience loneliness,” says Kellie Martin, LiveBetter’s Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager. “Feeling connected is critical to maintaining health and wellbeing. Contributing to the social capital of our communities and developing opportunities which allow people to give back can increase people’s feeling of connectedness.”
This year’s expanded program will digitally connect LiveBetter Ageing customers from rural and regional locations across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria with a new cohort of All Hallows’ year six students. Inclusee will provide the tablets and the technical support, and from April 16, LiveBetter Ageing customers will join in a weekly session where they’ll get to know the Brisbane Year Six students – and each other – a little better.
In2Generations alumni Betty Humphreys was thrilled to hear the program was returning for 2024. From the moment she first heard about In2Generations, Betty could see the value of sharing her story with the younger generations, and in turn, learning more about their day-to-day lives.
“Just having those young kids talk to us makes us feel special. We’re giving them an understanding of the tough times we had, and we’re getting to understand that there’s a lot more pressure on them these days than what we experienced – because there are so many more demands and expectations placed on them.”
Betty now looks forward to connecting, sharing, and learning in 2024.
“There’s been a lot of thought put into it. I’m grateful that LiveBetter decided to be a part of it because there are a lot of people out there who are lonely,”
At LiveBetter, we hope that this inspirational program will once again work its magic, fostering greater community connection for everyone involved.
