Once a month, Age Concern Wellington Region runs a coffee group at Te Pokapū Hapori – Y Central. From time to time, Best Start Leeds Street and Te Pokapū Hapori/Wellington City Council collaborate with Age Concern to turn the morning into an intergenerational event. For a couple of hours, the venue makes space for seniors and children to connect in an interactive way that’s comfortable for all.
The benefits of intergenerational connections have been extensively researched over the years, but it doesn’t take a scientist to see the joy on everyone’s faces. One of the older participants commented: “It did me good to see young people well cared for and happy. I loved the morning.”
Approximately six children and a dozen seniors laughed together, asked questions (“How old are you? You look very old!”) and read stories. The little ones even sang a song before leaving.
The meeting was a ray of sunshine on a rainy morning. There was a peaceful energy which left everyone smiling for the rest of the day.