Stories for young and old
Tuesday, 27 August 2024
Terrapin, Uniting AgeWell & The Tasmanian Community Fund celebrate intergenerational program
An exciting new production, Storied – An Intergenerational Workshop will take place at Uniting AgeWell Mornington Community, Lillian Martin in Tasmania on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.
The production showcases the magic that happens between young people and elders in the community when they have the opportunity to collaborate and create stories together.
Developed by residents at Uniting AgeWell’s Mornington Community, Lillian Martin and year 5/6 students from Warrane Primary School, the final presentation highlights the importance of capturing stories, interpreted through shadow puppetry and working with people from different generations.
Uniting AgeWell previously partnered with Terrapin as the founding Industry Partner of Forever Young, a groundbreaking puppetry program bringing joy to older people in aged care settings. No stranger to intergenerational collaboration, the residents participated in workshops with Terrapin across 2022 and 2023 helping to develop the program. They did this by tapping into their collective memories to create a bespoke experience that resonates with older people.
Directed and produced by Terrapin, the new intergenerational workshops have taken place over the past four weeks, giving space for all to share the experience and contribute to the final presentation.
The group has worked together to share stories, make puppets and create a performance that links them all together. Elder residents have been delighted as the students performed the story back to them and their guests during workshops.
“Bringing generations together in creative projects can have huge social benefits for both groups,” said Terrapin impact project designer Dannielle Jackson.
“We have been delighted to see both the elders and the young people come out of their shells, and work together on a shared outcome,” says Ms Jackson.
Uniting AgeWell General Manager Tasmania Jane Johnston says Uniting AgeWell fully supports the benefits of intergenerational activities.
“We see the benefits to both elders and young people of intergenerational activities. Creating opportunities to connect and learn from each other is an ongoing focus for Uniting AgeWell and we look forward to continuing to participate in bringing people together across our residential care communities in Victoria and Tasmania.” says Ms Johnston.
The project has been supported through funding from Uniting AgeWell and also by the Tasmanian Community Fund through its community action grants.