Aberystwyth is host to Wales’s first ever intergenerational club, Clwb Ni, which has recently won funding of nearly £5,000 from the ‘Awards for all’ Big Lottery Fund and celebrated its first birthday on Tuesday 17 July at Plascrug Community School.
The club was set up last year by Tai Ceredigion, Plas Crug Primary School and the Strategy for Older People, Ceredigion County Council, and brings together primary school pupils and sheltered housing tenants to enjoy fun activities and new experiences but also to share skills, knowledge and experience.
The funding will now help the group develop an exciting programme of trips and classes for the year ahead. Future activities will include a history trip to the ex-prison of war camp at Henllan, photography tutoring sessions, creative workshops, a Christmas party and pantomime trip as well as attending the school Christmas concert.
Over the course of the past year, the pupils and older people have enjoyed monthly activities such as cooking, eating, sweet making, music, singing, school performances, games as well as discussions on town developments. Meetings rotate between Maes Gogerddan and Glyn Padarn Sheltered Schemes and Plas Crug Community School as well as outings.
The tenants of Maes Gogerddan and Glyn Padarn Sheltered Schemes have enjoyed the club immensely. Betina Collingwood who spoke at the birthday celebration said “The club is excellent, not only have I got to know the young people of Plascrug Primary school but I have got to know my fellow residents much better. People think that older people want to socialise with other older people but this is not the case. The young people are wonderful and show consideration and respect towards us. They help everyone from those with hearing difficulties to those with mobility difficulties.”
Luke and Maya pupils at Plascrug School added, “The Club has been interesting and so much fun. We have become friends with the older people and really look forward to seeing them at the Club meetings. We are very sad that we have to move on but at least the next group of pupils will be able to enjoy it now.”
Cllr Hag Harris, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the education portfolio, Ceredigion County Council commented, “The benefits of intergenerational activities are widely acknowledged in terms of developing understanding and respect between the generations and in terms of contributing to community cohesion. A long term project such as Clwb Ni, where the generations can come together regularly to learn, share views and experiences as well as have fun, is a perfect way to achieve these benefits. I applaud the innovation and commitment of both Plas Crug Community School and Tai Ceredigion and wish the project every success.”
Steve Jones, Chief Executive of Tai Ceredigion added, “The Intergenerational Club illustrates Tai Ceredigion’s approach to community engagement and more specifically the importance we place on enabling tenants to integrate within their local communities. Tenants from both Maes Gogerddan and Glyn Padarn sheltered schemes are obviously benefitting from the socialisation opportunities that the Club offers and we look forward to developing further innovative projects across the county.”
Photograph:
Back row left to right: Gweneira Raw-Rees, Strategy for Older People Co-ordinator Ceredigion County Council; Menna Sweeney, Deputy Headmistress Plascrug School; Cllr Hag Harris, Cabinet Member for Education and Tai Ceredigion Board Member; Steven Jones, Chief Executive Tai Ceredigion
Front row, from left to right: Cllr Catherine Hughes, Champion for Older People and Cabinet Member, Ceredigion County Council; Clwb Ni members – Bettina Collingwood, Maes Gogerddan tenant, and pupils from Plascrug School
