![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/IMG_2587_55604.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
“It keeps our minds active and we find out what’s happening out in the world,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I like to interact with younger people, and I think it’s helping them with their people management skills as well.”<\/p>\n
Students involved in the program have also described the experience as valuable and eye-opening.<\/p>\n
Twenty students have volunteered to be part of the program for the current school term.<\/p>\n
“This program gives you two completely different perspectives \u2013 you have people who were born 80 years ago, and people who were born just a decade-and-a-half ago,” student participant Bodhi Jay said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great chance to catch up with someone who has been living for much longer than you.<\/p>\n
“I’ve learned a lot from them just talking about how life was back then. They talked about how they learned without using computers, and what high school was like for them.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Organisers say early outcomes include improved empathy and confidence among students, and the development of meaningful cross-generational friendships.<\/p>\n Following successful rollouts in Byron Bay and Ballina, Stronger Together is expected to expand to Lismore later this year, with up to 160 participants set to take part in the program.<\/p>\n General manager of residential living at RSL LifeCare, Michael Wappett, said the program reflects a broader shift in how residential aged care communities are being designed.<\/p>\n “Programs like Stronger Together show what innovation in residential living really means, not just new models of care, but fresh ways to bring people together, spark joy and create communities where veterans and seniors feel seen, valued and energised,” he said.<\/p>\n “Aged care reform is an opportunity to raise the bar, and we’re leaning into that with optimism. Our focus is on creating experiences that are more human, more responsive and more enriching for the people who call our communities home.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A PROGRAM bringing Ballina teenagers and aged care residents together through weekly activities is reducing social isolation and building friendships across generations. The Stronger Together initiative is delivered by RSL LifeCare and funded through Healthy North Coast’s Community Wellbeing and Resilience program. It brings year 9 students from Emmanuel Anglican College together with residents at […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/IMG_2590_57848.jpeg\")