SBC intergenerational project By Lynne Marshall

Student Community Focus In Jedburgh Garden maintenance Volunteering at a Social Centre Assisting at an exercise class Assisting at a coffee morning Walk It training

Background Need for volunteers to support activities for older people We could offer defined volunteering opportunities of interest to young people Involvement of different organisations Discovering that older people do not want activities just for old people!

How the project has worked Jedburgh involved only hours per week with projects running all year. Peebles High School is a much larger school and so we have broken down activities into blocks Students volunteering hours have counted towards local challenge/Saltire awards arranged through the local Volunteer Centre.

Positive outcomes

“I love coming for the company”

What were the challenges Time available Keeping students interested Staff time Remembering to send text messages!

Feedback We asked students to review their years volunteering… -Have you enjoyed the project -Was it what you expected -Has it changed your perception of older people -And if so, in what ways -What skills have you acquired -What would you change/imp

Responses Enjoyed/would recommend to others More sociable than expected Have learned gardening and social skills They need more help than I expected Start earlier so go on longer

Future Add in new schools Look at opportunities for fourth year students Facilitate group projects Find more hours in the day!