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How to set up activities to bring different age groups together and benefit all involved.

First published:
26 April 2022
Last updated:

Intergenerational practice brings people of different ages together. Projects offer activities which are beneficial and enjoyable to all involved. Intergenerational practice can help people feel less lonely or socially isolated. Participants learn more about different age groups and feel part of their community.

Our strategies Loneliness and social isolation and the Strategy for an aging society recognise the benefits of helping communities come together. 

How to set up an intergenerational project

Read our report on the effects of intergenerational practice on those involved. It also looks at what can help and hinder a successful intergenerational project 

There are a variety of projects happening across Wales. Here are some useful examples and tips on how to set up a project:

Intergenerational resource toolkit (Older People’s Commissioner and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales)

Friend of mine initiative (Aneurin Bevan University Health Board)

Follow the Building Generations network on social media:

Pontio'r Cenedlaethau, Cyngor Gwynedd (Facebook)

Pontio’r Cenedlaethau (@cenedlaethau) (Twitter)

How intergenerational projects work in practice

Watch a range of videos on how intergenerational projects work in practice (Pontio'r Cenedlaethau YouTube):

Trefnant – ConneXions: This is a community lead project which works with Trefnant school. Children and older people enjoy various activities where the young teach the older and the older teach the young.

Plas Ogwen Gwynedd Council:  A care home and a local school have created a special friendship bench for the garden of the care home. 

Watch Ysgol Llanllechid visit the residents at Plas Ogwen care home.

Repair Cafe Wales: people of all ages get together monthly at the repair cafe in Canton, Cardiff to save items from landfill and to socialise .

People Speak Up run various projects and offer intergenerational connectivity online.

Bangor Litter Picking: Adra, a housing association in North Wales are bringing people of all ages together to work on improving their community.

Montage: a montage of intergenerational projects from across Wales

Contact details

Intergenerational practice mailbox Welsh Government

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg / We welcome correspondence in Welsh.

If you would like more information, or have any queries, please contact us.