Lavinia Thomas Buhagiar, the founder of Bath-based GrandFriends: The Company of Elders, marks its third year by looking at the outreach work it enjoys with local school
Grandfriends: The Company of Elders was set up in 2022 to tackle what we describe as ‘Intergenerational Loneliness’, a shared cross-generation experience caused by the growing disconnect between elders and younger people which is common all over the UK.
There are so many reasons for this: the negative attitude to aging in British culture; economic disparity between generations; and the loss of interpersonal social skills due to young people’s increasing reliance on smart phones are just some.
A joined up solution to intergenerational loneliness
In 2018 the British government declared a ‘Loneliness Health Crisis’, since when the rate of the psychological and physical damage linked to loneliness, particularly in older and vulnerable people, has only risen.
The number of over-50s experiencing chronic loneliness in the UK is set to reach two million by 2026. This is 49% increase in 10 years. Two fifths of people over 60 now say that television is their main source of company. The harm caused by a lack of social connection for elders exceeds that of other serious risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity, and loneliness increases the risk of dementia by one third.
At the same time, surveys reveal showed that over 10% of primary age children, 8% of secondary age children and 70% of 18–24-year-olds say they feel lonely most of the time. Loneliness in children and young people is linked to low wellbeing, correlates with lower academic and professional attainment, and can be an indicator for future mental ill health.
Elders at the heart of the community
To help deal with this situation, GrandFriends recruits, trains and supports people of retirement age to volunteer and give time to younger people through innovative programmes, often involved local schools. The GrandFriends are respected as ‘elders’, and valued as community assets because of the strengths they uniquely offer, including the time that comes with retirement, wisdom that comes with experience and patience that comes with perspective.
At the Lunch & Play Time Visits programme hosted at St John’s Primary School in Oldfield Park, the GrandFriends share lunch with pupils from all ages 5-11, and then have time together in the playground, or classrooms in bad weather.
Mrs Bennett, co Headteacher, explained, “Having GrandFriends in school has been a huge success. The GrandFriends are fantastic with the children, they take the time to sit and eat and talk together. Then outside they play games with the children, many of which are traditional games that the children really enjoy. The children love our GrandFriends and it is a fantastic intergenerational project.”
Also at St John’s Primary, the GrandFriends read with pupils at its Library Sessions. The Literacy Lead, Mrs Rosevere, explained, “We have seen a huge increase in the enjoyment and confidence in reading and writing in the children who have spent time with the GrandFriends in the library.”
The charity hopes to expand these programmes to other schools this year.
GrandFriends is also planning to launch its Hobbies Club for children aged between 8 and 14 from all local schools to come and enjoy some shared interests together, such as crochet, gardening, cooking, science experiments, crafts and board games. Again, the charity especially encourages children who do not already have the chance to spend lots of time with elders to come along.
Could you be a GrandFriend?
The charity has a terrific team of volunteers, who give their invaluable time and company. In their own words:
“Volunteering as a GrandFriend gives as much to me as the children and I feel lifted up after each visit. When we arrive at school the children rush up to say hello, and I feel like a celebrity”.
“The children are so interested in a nonjudgmental way. One of them was asking about my hearing aid, why it was squeaking, and we talked about it in a way that felt natural and easy. It’s a pleasure to watch them learn through simple curiosity.”
“When I retired I had a sharp dive in confidence about who I am now. Becoming a GrandFriend has reminded me of my value to the world and given me a new purpose”
“I love meeting up with the students and younger adults over a relaxed tea at the Sunday Socials – it feels important to be able to listen to their stories, and lovely to feel their interest in me.”
The GrandFriends enjoy regular ‘café collective’ meet-ups in a different independent café in Bath each time, and the charity hosts Christmas and summer parties to thank the volunteers, many of whom have made excellent new friendships with their fellow GrandFriends.
The charity is looking for more GrandFriends to join the team. The volunteers are currently aged between early 60s and late 80. No qualifications or experience are required, and people of every background and circumstance are invited get in touch. Training is provided and the GrandFriends are supported by staff all of the way.
Please visit www.grandfriends.uk to find out more or contact email hidden; JavaScript is required 01225 967680