IT was a day for the ages as the younger and older generations united in Stalybridge for a busy morning of activities.
Pupils from Silver Springs Primary and Inspire Academy joined older folk recently at Ambleside Baptist Church in Ridge Hill.
It marked International Day of Older People, with the theme this year ‘the part we play’ – celebrating the role of older people in communities.
There were different stations for everyone to get involved in – including a Museum in a Box at a ‘chatty’ station which brought back many memories.
At the ‘mark-making’ station, young and old collaborated to produce colourful leaf-inspired prints, while they viewed leaves and plants using lightboxes at the ‘illustration’ station.
The ‘listening’ station featured 10 audio trail stories – some written and narrated by Inspire and Silver Springs pupils, and others by older residents who are members of Ridge Hill’s Chatty Cafe, aided by students from Tameside College.
After a lunch provided by Ridge Hill Big Local, the adults gave their physical health a boost by finishing off with some chair-based exercises.
Part of the Greater Manchester Ageing in Place Pathfinder (AIPP), the event was part of a two-year project providing better access, activity and community engagement to ensure older people’s voices are heard and valued in the places they live, and to improve their quality of life.
Ridge Hill is one of nine neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester where Pathfinder Partnerships are anchored by lead organisations – which, in Tameside’s case, is Jigsaw Homes.
One Stalybridge councillor believes the project is “one of Tameside’s unsung success stories”.
Eleanor Wills said: “The room was packed with people of all ages at the celebration event, showing how residents have taken it to their hearts.
“Pathfinder provides a wonderful way for the generations to get together and learn from each other. The benefit to the older people’s health is palpable as it breaks down the walls of loneliness and isolation by allowing them to meet others in a friendly and fulfilling atmosphere.”