Sing swing and mingle ~ an intergenerational project
Status: Ongoing
Evaluated
Summary
The Sing Swing and Mingle (SS&M) project was built from a spark of an idea from a retired schoolteacher expressing how she missed being with young people. At the City’s bi-monthly positive ageing/coffee catch up the participants discussed their thoughts on this initiative. The response was overwhelming in support, and it was agreed to explore the possibilities. At the same time the City’s Youth officer was approached by two music teachers looking for more opportunity for the students to perform. This match was the beginning of the building blocks. As the project planning grew, a small working group of volunteers (retirees) was formed, and they supported ongoing engagement, project development and added input to the grant submission. The working group members were also volunteering at the concerts. Local age care facilities, home and community care providers and members of the Lions Club all provided input on the need for more intergenerational projects and best practice on the rollout.
The most significant change was witnessing the sharing and creating of memories and how all the generations embraced both streams of the project. Despite not being as young as they used to be, we could see how many older people still loved to indulge in their inner child by playing traditional games and talking.
The sit-down concerts, in the historic Fremantle Town Hall, brought back memories of their dancing days. There was excitement around the live music and travelling to a venue that was welcoming and wheelchair friendly. They loved being served morning tea by the students, along with catching up with friends and/or making new friends.
The songs at the concerts were varied, however, the students learnt and practiced songs that were from 50s & 60s and it was obvious the music and singing was uplifting and brought joy.
The project gave everyone with diverse capacities an opportunity to shine a light on active engagement and connectivity. The music performers, students from two high school, had the chance to showcase their musical talents, display front of skills and develop conversations abilities. It enabled younger and older people to make new connections and grow respect for each generation, the same but different. It was also a whole lot of fun. Older people can sometimes find themselves isolated and loosing social connections whether they are living in their homes or in an age care facility. SS&M opened the doors to relate to others from the wider community fostering an age-friendly, inclusive environment.
The project successfully achieved the project aims, to encourage relationship building and enhancing steppingstones to wellbeing for everyone, there were so many smiles, clapping and lots of laughter. At each concert we had an average of 120 attendees, they came from a variety of age care facilities, and older people, living independently, in the community. At one of our concerts, five coaches transported attendees who were collected from their homes by Home and Community Care providers, highlighting the importance of accessible transport arrangements for older residents. In total we have 68 talented students providing the entertainment with performances ranging from classical to swing music and a sing-along. Towards the end of each concert the floor was cleared to make space for dancing, with the young and old hitting the dance floor. Students MCed and provided front of house and served morning tea. There were smiles and conversations flowing, appreciation of the live music and moments of fun.
The students brought a warmth and infectious energy, bringing joy to the older people. Some of them may not have grandparents of their own and spending time mingling, sing and dancing enabled a shared sense of belonging, building confidence and purpose.
As people, young and old, were leaving there were many requests to do this again. This could speak to a change of attitudes and future outlooks towards other generations.
The Sing Swing and Mingle project was funded by the Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities, Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program.
Key facts
Both younger and older people (i.e. intergenerational)
The aim was to older people in the community who may have been feeling lonely or isolated. It provided a chance to meet other and make new friends. Three local service providers, who support older people still living in their own homes and two residential care facilities also provided transport. A least five bus loads arrived.
Health
Local volunteer community groups ~ supported set up of the event and enjoyed the concerts as well.
Build and maintain relationships
- Ageism
- Intergenerational activities
- Inclusion
- Participation
Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):
Engaging the wider community
Local authorities
- Local authorities
- Older People’s Association
- Social or health care provider
- Volunteers
- Private sector
Two local governments applied and successfully received funding for this project from Department of Communities via their Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program.
Other organisations that were actively involved in the planning, delivery and the evaluation of the project: working group members (over 55s), three local high schools, volunteer groups, age care facilities and age care service providers.
The project won an award the Local Govt Professionals’ Partnership and Collaborating Award.
Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages
The project initiative was built from the bottom up initially with a spark of an idea from a retired schoolteacher expressing how she missed being with young people. Overall, the project streams allowed for an organic approach in planning, with involvement from the broader community as it was rolled out and at the City’s bi-monthly positive ageing/coffee catch up the participants discussed their thoughts on this initiative. The working group members also volunteered at the concerts.
Moving forward
Yes
Positive
Witnessing so many positive interactions, watching growing empathy amongst age groups, with the talking and listening.
Community enjoyment via smiles and applause ~ live music being a part of older people’s early years, they loved it.
Valuable links that were made; a young person deciding she’d like to do further training in age care; tears when leaving the age care facility because she wanted now to spend more time with her grandparents.
Enhanced understanding of dementia, as the students participated in online training.
Keenness displayed by the older people to promptly book into concerts and to attend activity days; age care residents arrived early and were waiting with the enthusiasm to engage with the students.
Delivery of activities that broke down barriers and addressed ageism; you’re never too old to have fun, never too young to grow respect for others.
Active engagement/hands on participation from Lions Club volunteers
These outcomes were achieved by:
Providing accessible spaces with options
Collaborating with other organisations
Recognising ongoing partnerships
Taking a whole of community approach
Having an organic methodology
Showing the need and responding
Delivering a positive and professional approach
As people, young and old, were leaving there were many requests to do this again. This could speak to a change of attitudes and outlook towards other generations.
Sing-swing-mingle-project-review-Jun-24.pdf
The overall feedback was extremely positive. Concert attendees’ feedback: Thank you for a delightful morning of music and entertainment. My husband and I found the music selection very easy to listen too, the students were a credit to their teachers, and they gave a great performance. The morning tea was served very gracefully by students and volunteers, it was yummy with a wide selection of food, it was plentiful and varied…. Stan and Barbara. It was fabulous, everyone left with a smile on their face, the young people were lovely and courteous and helpful, and I really don’t think you could have done any more for it to be wonderful… Gail, I know my brother and I left with smiles on our faces. At one point my brother had tears in his eyes because one of the old songs played was a favourite. I loved the table settings, and it was a real treat having the students attend to us and they did it so well with smiles on their faces. Such friendly talented kids. The food was great and finishing with the nut bush made my day. Lyn Teacher’s feedback: We had a great morning. Really positive stories coming from the students and how meaningful they found the experience. Overall, the general feeling was more game options for each table so they could find something that fits, possibly a tech help table to support with phones/devices etc, and a chatting zone away from the games. TSS It was our absolute pleasure to participate in this event. Thank you very much for asking us. We would love to be a part of any future events This event was also lovely with students sitting and mingling at the tables. JCCA teacher. See project review document for photo story and more feedback.
The excellence achieved and impact of this initiative is highlighted not only in the delivery also in the feasibility and sustainability of the project’s future.
Teachers from both high schools have put forward the following:
• JCCA would like to see regular concerts in the Fremantle Town Hall. These will be scheduled in between renovations of the site in 2025.
• JCCA students are in discussions with the Fremantle Italian Village to schedule activity morning and matching Italian language students to attend therefore creating an opportunity with conversations with residents whose first language is Italian.
• Fremantle College teacher have suggested that ongoing performances could be held at their auditorium and invite the Home Economics’ teacher to organised cooking with the students.
• The Studio School have scheduled and confirmed ongoing morning activities at Hilton Aegis and Silverchain Day Care Centre in Hilton.
The Fremantle Theatre Company is now scheduling quarterly ‘Morning Melodies’ – live music concerts with the City of Fremantle supports with promotion.
The success of the SS&M project has provided indicators of community need and enjoyment. Evaluation and community feedback provided the opportunity to enrich our local communities and believe that it had a meaningful impact on our older residents and our young people. It enabled our local governments to bring a wide range of participants, from diverse backgrounds, and ages together, a mix of people aged from 16 to 86 years. Overall, feedback ‘let’s do this again’!
It was a community development, capacity building project that brought much joy to many, regardless of age, capacities or circumstances. The young people brought respect, warmth and infectious energy, bringing joy to the older people.
Looking back
The project was very successful, and we would change very little for future concerts. The morning tea spread will be scale down as external funding will not be available.
Members of the community are requested more concerts to be scheduled. Our Town Hall has been under redevelopment and when completed more concerts will happen.
The only significant barrier was covering the costs to deliver a special event. It was the funding support from Communities that enable us to create a conductive, comfortable space for all to share/build memories via songs, music and the sharing stories. The serving of morning tea and the activities provided by the young people was well received, that was where ‘mingle’ embraced enrichment.
The project was embraced by a variety of community members, and it ran smoothly. There was enthusiasm from all partners and working together was the essence of its success.
The Activity Mornings at two Age Care facilities are ongoing, scheduled each school term for a visit to both.
