Local students build intergenerational relationships

A FOUR-WEEK project involving local secondary students and Torquay community groups has strengthened ties between different generations and spread awareness about elder abuse.

Surf Coast Secondary College’s “Hands On” learning cohort has wrapped up four weeks of work creating small, decorated timber houses with assistance from Torquay Men’s Shed and Torquay Women’s Shed as part of the Warm Safe Home Project.

The houses were presented at a morning tea to residents of Kithbrooke Park on Tuesday at morning tea celebration.

 

Surf Coast secondary teacher Emy Kennedy, who co-ordinates the Hands On learning program at the school, said the intergenerational program has been “rewarding with positive outcomes for all involved”.

“This program gave the students something to do while connecting with some of the local Men’s Shed and Women’s Shed members and build that relationship even further,” Ms Kennedy said.

“You could see the students come in after four weeks of work and be really proud of the work that they did, and we’re hopeful we can resume our partnership with the two sheds in the near future.”

The purpose of building the small houses facilitates conversations about older people’s right to feel safe and live free from fear in the sanctuary of their own homes.

Torquay Women’s Shed member Cindy Powers, who worked closely with the students, said the best way to address elder abuse is through communication.

“Maybe some young people just don’t have positive relationships with elderly people in their lives, so hopefully we helped some of these students address that during this project,” Ms Powers noted.

The Warm Safe Home project, created by Becky Nevin Berger in Warrnambool, uses craft to engage community members to start conversations about elder abuse.

The project aims to raise awareness about elder abuse, its causes, and the things that can be done to prevent it.

“Our aim was to create 500 little houses to be installed in Gateway Plaza Warrnambool in time for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2020,” Ms Berger said.

“We worked with schools, community groups, and Men’s Sheds from around South West Victoria to achieve this goal.”

Several of the Surf Coast Secondary College small houses will now be in the Barwon Warm Safe Home Community Art Project exhibition at Geelong Library & Exhibition Centre this month.

The project was facilitated by the Surf Coast Shire and Torquay Community House.