Students urged to ask their grandparents, not Google

BELLARINE students could soon be switching off their devices and seeking answers to life’s questions from a more experienced source – grandparents.

Aged care provider Feros Care has launched a groundbreaking initiative urging students to “Ask Gran Not Google”.

Beginning as a pilot project on a much smaller scale, Feros Care is set to roll out the program in almost 150 schools across several states after securing a Strong and Resilient Communities Grant from the federal government’s Department of Social Services.

The program will receive $536,250 over three years, with schools in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria the first to be invited to apply to participate.

As part of the program, students are asked to write or video message questions to seniors in their life – from close grandparents and those miles away to neighbours, community members and Feros Care residential village residents.

Ask Gran Not Google is the brainchild of Feros Care’s Shelly Fletcher, whose family banned technology in favour of going to another trusted source of knowledge and wisdom – grandparents.

Ms Fletcher said she and her cousins did a family experiment where all questions were directed at “Nana” and “Pop” first before searching online.

“Seniors can teach children positive attitudes towards ageing and help them develop skills to enhance lifelong learning in ways the internet is unable to.

“And it’s just as beneficial for seniors as it can promote improved health and wellbeing.”

Feros Care is aiming for Ask Gran Not Google to reach 91,000 students across more than 950 schools during the next three years.

For more on how your local school can participate, head to feroscare.com.au/ask-gran-not-google, email [email protected] or phone Shelly Fletcher on 0448 302 094.