Intergeneration connection is becoming more common in retirement villages, as many residents do not have children and grandchildren near who can visit often.
Ashdale Secondary College in Perth has launched the Community Tech Team where Year 9 and 10 students visited the Kingsway Court Brightwater Retirement Village to teach residents how to use technology, including how to identify and block scams, take selfies and create an online profile safely.
In return, the village residents shared life skills and lessons, such as how to write and mail a letter and play lawn bowls.
Inspired by the ABC program Old People’s Home For Teenagers, the Community Tech Team provided two-way learning, social interaction and a platform for meaningful connections and friendships to develop.
“Some of these students are extremely shy, so it has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow. It’s just a bit of community service and a great way to get involved with some residents who are also probably feeling a little bit alone and isolated, and just bringing them together and trying to create some friendships and something fun to do,” Ashdale Secondary College digital technologies teacher Rachel Farnay, who organised the program, said.