NEWS- 'GENERATIONS'

  

This is on our Methodist H Q facebook page Methodist Growing Faith at Home    

Intergenerational Week ðŸ‘¶ðŸ‘§ðŸ‘¨ðŸ‘µ

With lots happening at the moment we haven't said much about it being National Intergenerational Week: a time to reflect on all that's good and beneficial about being community of different ages.
We're grateful to Ebenezer Methodist Church in Jersey who have written a prayer giving thanks for this, you might like to include it in your prayers over the weekend. Here it is:

Also,click on little image box below & it will take you to the facebook page.

Image may contain: one or more people, possible text that says 'Dear Lord, We are each different. Some of us older and others much younger ! Some of us like to spend our time playing with dinosaurs, others like playing with cards. Some of us like running, others like reading. Some of us like eating cookies, others like drinking tea We are different, but we're also alike. Thank you for bringing us together in your church. Amen'

Also see separate tab ................... VIDEO of Generations...............

& PHOTOS tab

ARTICLE IN 'THE BUZZ 'ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION -FEB. 2020

LEARNING AND CARING 

Generations
Ebenezer Methodist Church, Jersey 

Ebenezer Methodist Church in Jersey is bringing together the eldest and youngest members of its congregation in a new club called ‘Generations’.

The idea was inspired by the Channel 4 television programme 'Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds' which examined the social and health benefits of the elderly making friends with the young.

The activities all have children in mind, however the older attendees are as excited to get involved and are often filled with feelings of nostalgia or eager to try something new.
Community lay worker, Amy Britton started the group to connect with the local community. She said the young are already making positive friendships with some of the older generation: "There's a young man called Ethan who is six and doesn't have elderly relatives. His mum was unsure if he would enjoy it but now he holds the most incredible conversations with people. I've seen mums brought to tears when they realise how much their children are giving, and getting back, from this relationship with the elderly people."

July 2019- Teddy Bear's picnic to celebrate our first school year of Generations.
Started Autumn 2018, restarts Sept. 2019

 

The following appeared in the below electronic newsletter regarding loneliness & appealing for new ideas to help those affected :

Methodist Children
and Youth

June/July 2019

THE WELL NEWS

                  PILOT GROUPS NEEDED

 

Methodist Children, Youth & Families is really excited to be partnering with MHA (formerly Methodist Homes for the Aged) to pilot a brand new intergenerational befriending scheme, under the Agents of Change banner. We are looking for a small number of children's, youth groups, families or congregations to help us pilot this brand new piece of work.

Could you, your family, your group or your congregation...

  • … organise an activity - such as crafts or a quiz - to run in an MHA home?
  • … send letters or cards as part of a pen pal scheme with MHA service users?
  • … volunteer to regularly visit an MHA home or sheltered accommodation and befriend residents?
  • … help to raise awareness locally about the need for befriending volunteers?
  • … or do something else that helps to build bridges between generations and tackle loneliness and isolation?

Want to be inspired?

 Click here to read a lovely story from Ebenezer Methodist Church in Jersey, where eldest and youngest members of the congregation are uniting in a new club, ‘Generations’. 

 

If the answer is 'yes' or even 'maybe' then please email Lynne Norman to show an expression of interest and find out more!

 

Want to be inspired? Click here to read a lovely story from Ebenezer Methodist Church in Jersey, where eldest and youngest members of the congregation are uniting in a new club, ‘Generations’.

 

The following article has appeared in the June 2019 Methodist electronic publication- The Buzz issue 183

 

LEARNING AND CARING

Love Hearts in Trinity

Ebeneezer Methodist Church, Trinity, Jersey

Ebenezer Methodist Church in Trinity is uniting the eldest and youngest members of their congregation in a new club called ‘Generations’.

The idea was inspired by the Channel 4 television programme 'Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds' which examined the social and health benefits of the elderly making friends with the young. Researchers claim that there are benefits for both groups, particularly those who suffer from dementia.

Community lay worker, Amy Britton, who started the group to connect and share love with the local community said the young are already making positive friendships with some of the older generation:
"There's a young man called Ethan who's six and he is incredible. He doesn't have elderly relatives in his life and his Mum said to me at the start 'I don't know if he'll enjoy it. I don't know he'll behave.' And he holds the most incredible conversations with people who maybe adults would find quite austere or intimidating. And he makes one particular lady smile like you just can't image.”

The activities provided are with the children in mind, however the older attendees are excited to get involved and are often flooded with feelings of nostalgia or eager to try something new.
"I learnt early on that what five-year-olds enjoy, elderly people enjoy more” said Britton, with the most popular item being Play-doh.

Everyone in the group is encouraged to get creative with building blocks, paints and craft materials. Ellie (5) said: "We do lots of activities and we make things. We have wooden stuff and we draw the things. I drew a happy person and love hearts".
Ellie has described some of the older members as ‘her friends’ and it’s not just the old and young who are benefiting, but the Mums who are passionate about the importance of the group.

Community lay worker, Amy Britton, said "I've seen mums brought to tears when they realise how much their children are giving, and getting back, from this relationship with the elderly people."

 

JUNE 2019- Article in The SiGn - Southern & Islands Good News publication by the Methodist Church.

 The SiGn- Southern & Islands  Good News

Intergenerational Initiative in Jersey

Inspired by the Channel 4 television programme ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’, Ebenezer Methodist Church in Trinity, Jersey has launched ‘Generation’ – a get-together for the young and old.

Several members of the church’s leadership team who saw the programme realised that as well as being a worthwhile social experiment, there had been huge improvements in the health of the elderly people involved.

The children also benefited by learning to communicate and work with older people, enjoying time together, forging friendships, learning from one another and making memories.  ‘Generation’, is run by community lay worker Amy Britton and offers the opportunity for participants to engage in a range of activities including crafts, games, singing and conversation.

Around a dozen children are currently attending each session, along with a similar number of elderly people, including residents of Maison La Corderie, the Methodist Home for the Aged (MHA).

Michael Picot, treasurer and administrator at the church, said: ‘We are well aware of the loneliness amongst our elderly community and we intend to reach out where we can.’

Do you know of a similar project or would you be interested in starting one?

The connexional team are offering a limited number of grants for work like this linking local communities and MHA.

Please contact Kathy to find out more oloughlink@methodistchurch.org.uk

APRIL 2019

A national Christian radio staion picked up the article below from the JEP & interviewed our lay worker live the following day. This is an extract that they printed on their news page :

Play-Doh fun in church unites children and elderly people

Mon 29 Apr 2019

By Premier Journalist- Premier Christian Radio

A church in the Channel Islands has started an innovative group which brings people in their 70s, 80s and 90s together with some of the youngest members of the congregation.

The group is called 'Generations' and holds meetings in Ebenezer Methodist Church in Trinity.

The idea was inspired by the Channel 4 television programme 'Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds' which explored the social and health benefits of older people making friendships with very young children. Experts claim there are benefits for both age groups.

 

Community lay worker, Amy Britton, who started the group said the five-year-olds are already making positive friendships with some of the older generation.

"There's a young man called Ethan who's six and he is incredible," she told Premier.

"He doesn't have elderly relatives in his life. And his mum said to me at the start 'I don't know if he'll enjoy it. I don't know he'll behave.'

"And he holds the most incredible conversations with people who maybe adults would find quite austere or intimidating. And he makes one particular lady smile like you just can't image.

"It's a magical thing to see - it really is."

Marian holding Alex

Inside the church, children and older people gather alongside each other with tables set out with building blocks, paints and craft materials.

Britton said everyone gets involved: "I learnt early on that what five-year-olds enjoy, elderly people enjoy more. So, Lego, absolutely.

"The most popular thing we've done is getting the Play-Doh out.

"It's things that either they've never done because it arrived after their time, or it's something they haven't done in years and they really miss."

Five-year-old Ellie said some of the older people are now her friends.

"We do lots of activities and we make things," the youngster said.

"We have wooden stuff and we draw the things. I drew a happy person and love hearts."

For Britton, the new group is more about making connection in the local community that any sort of formal Evangelism.

She explained: "I firmly believe that church isn't really something that (just) happens on a Sunday. It's something that shares love with the community that you are part of.

"My personal form of Christianity is trying to do some good where I am."

Jessica with Pauline and Nessie

John Routier is in his 90s. He initially was unsure whether 'Generations' would be a success.

"I had no idea about what it was about," he said.

"But obviously it became pretty apparent when I arrived there.

"There were quite a lot of small children. And quite a lot of people my age, or getting on for my age

"I mucked in with the rest of them.

"There were various activities going on. In the course of doing that (the older people) got involved, and (the five-year-olds) got involved as well."

Community lay worker, Amy Britton, said it's hard to say whether the five-year-olds enjoy the group more than the older people, or vice versa.

But she highlighted another group of people who have responded positively to 'Generations'.

"I've seen mums brought to tears when they realise how much their children are giving, and getting back, from this relationship with the elderly people," she said.

"They're so passionate about it. It's beautiful to see.

BBC Radio Jersey- ‘Generations’:
Cathy Le Feuvre their Senior Journalist Communities, heard about our new initiative & came up to find out more !
Cathy did a recording of this latest session, interviewed some of the mums & senior citizens attending, & also Amy our Layworker. See our..... LINKS.... tab

'GENERATIONS' interview Feb. 2019 
Interview at February 2019 session of 'Generations'. Interview played at 2:39:00 on Sunday 03/03/19. To hear click on the link below, then leave it & it will start to play automatically for you.(Or on the forward play button in the circle,then on volume slide bar until you get to 2hours39mins00seconds, & that's the start of the interview)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p070mk1z 

 

         Generations’: The next sessions of our new inititive see our Groups tab

At our February session we had nearly an even number of elderly folks &  children, apporx 14 of each group. 
                                                                           Generations

Giving children and older people the opportunity to enjoy time together; forging friendships, learning from one another and making memories.


During each session all ages will enjoy games, puzzles, building, craft, colouring and conversation together as well having some light refreshments.                 We will then read a story and learn some songs.


Place: Ebenezer Methodist Church                        Times: Arrive between  2.45 and finish at 4.30                                  

…because there’s no feeling in the world quite like companionship.

This new inititive for EB. came about after some of us had seen the TV programme ‘Old People’s Home for 4 yrs. old’ on Channel 4 earlier this year.
There was a second new series on Channel 4 a few months ago, with an updated Christmas special.
It was an amazing experience for all those who took part. A great social experiment, & also the elderly folk were tested for their physical & mental health at the start, & again at the end.The improvments in their health was amazing. The children also benefited by learning to communicate & work with elderly people.
We have at least 12 young children from our 'Pickles Village' team  involved, & around the same number of adults. However, there is room for more elderly people.
So if you know anyone who lives on their own, away from family, & who may suffer form loneliness in particluar,please do get in touch with Amy our Community Lay Worker for our next sessions.

It is recognised that 1 in 4 people suffer with loneliness in their later life.
The UK government have recognised this need & in 2018 appointed a minister for loneliness
.
 

                                        See our Groups tab & photos album of  some of our sessions

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