By Shelby Brooks
A Pakenham school and nearby retirement village have teamed up to generate intergenerational connections, inspired by a hit ABC reality show.
Beginning next week, Pakenham Secondary College students and residents of Evergreen Retirement Village will undergo an Old People’s Home for Teenagers experience.
Evergreen managers Annie Roberts and Sharyn Allsopp are both fans of the show and started thinking it would be great if their residents could partake in a similar program.
“I would see a lot of our residents in the people in the show,” Sharyn said.
“They felt that loneliness and feeling no purpose, especially during Covid-19.”
Annie said the benefits of connecting with different generations worked both ways.
“Young people tend to think elderly people haven’t lived a whole life,” she said.
“And some people can think teenagers are sulking, moody and not approachable.”
Sharyn and Annie got in touch with Pakenham Secondary College and found VCAL teacher Allison Barrie to be enthusiastic.
The first meet and greet will be held on Tuesday 18 October and the program will be structured based off participant’s ideas and needs, as well as from the format of the TV show.
Evergreen resident Mary Walker was excited to participate in the program.
“I think there’s a need for young people to understand older people,” she said.
“We can share our life experiences, assist them and be nice to them.
“I think I could give them a little bit of purpose in life and maybe they can give me feedback to me on my purpose as well.”
Fellow resident Valda Donald agreed.
“I watched the series and I loved it, it was beautiful,” she said.
“I would like us to achieve what they did on TV – that would be incredible.
“To see a change in the students and the older people was just amazing.”
