Every Friday afternoon, a group of between 2 and 6 young people aged 15-17 visit service-users at the Gilbertson Day Centre. A similar group runs on Tuesday afternoons at Hamnavoe House in Stromness, with up to 11 young people aged 14-18. These intergenerational groups allow young volunteers to build their confidence in speaking to people different to them and gives the service-users/residents an opportunity to socialise with young people.
The growth in confidence among young volunteers who participate in intergenerational groups is evident and recognised by the volunteers themselves. Ryan a young volunteer said:
I have gained lots of confidence to talk to new people and it's not just great for your mental health, but also the mental health of the folk at the Day Centre.
This latter point is emphasised by Kirsty Wallace, Gilbertson Day Centre Manager. She said:
[the volunteers] have built up lovely friendships with our Friday folk who really enjoy chatting with them. They appear to be very sensitive and understanding of their needs.
Another volunteer, Soph said:
it is so nice to just sit down and chat to them as they have so many different experiences from us and I love finding out about people, and probably being able to share my interests with them too.
Kirsty added:
The volunteers have been a huge asset to us here at the Gilbertson… They have entertained us, baked for us and come up with ideas for activities which has all been very welcome. We have enjoyed every minute of having our Friday volunteers and now can’t imagine what a Friday would feel like without them.
Many of the volunteers who take part in the intergenerational groups do so to get experience to help them as they embark on medical careers. One of these young volunteers, Hope said:
I chose to volunteer at the day centre to allow me to meet new people and to help out in my community. Through my volunteering I've established relationships with vulnerable individuals… and I’ve found it really fulfilling to see that even the smallest of interactions can have a huge impact on a person's day! I developed a way of adapting my approach to match each person’s condition and circumstances which will definitely be helpful for me in the future.
The Intergenerational groups help improve the wellbeing of both the volunteers, and the service-users and residents they visit. They also encourage young people to become more involved in their communities. By setting up these groups and working the staff from the care facilities, we offer a positive volunteering experience for young people.
