I've just been reflecting on 2022 & in doing so have realised how much Creating Caring Connections has accomplished leading up to it's first official birthday as a community interest company on the 14th of January.
Thank you for being a part of it.
Here's a little recap of 2022
January/February: Launch of Connection Cards. A collection of 30 prompts to promote wellbeing & encourage connection with self, loved ones & the wider community.
February/March/April: Intergenerational Connections Pilot Project with Grange Primary & Mill Lane Care Home. A fun 6-week group with the year 2 class ending with a residents 100th birthday celebration.
March: Article publication 'Sometimes We Need to be Creative to Connect' in CareKnowledge.
April: Fundraising challenge set - to ride my first Century to raise money for the Intergenerational Connections Project.
June/July: Intergenerational Connections Pilot Project with Grange Primary & Mill Lane Care Home. Four sessions talking about WWII, residents sharing stories of evacuation, rations and being a part of the Land Army. The topic provided an opportunity to connect with the Felixstowe Museum. The beautiful moments witnessed during these sessions were when the children and residents became more comfortable with each other and connected. One visit began with the children describing older people as scary on the walk from the school to the care home and coming away from the visit amazed at what the residents could remember from many years ago.
July: Travelled to Cornwall to attend the Only Connect Conference. To spend time with other people who share an interest in creativity, wellbeing, ageing and intergenerational practice.
August: The first Intergenerational Connections Parent & Child Meet-Up at Mill Lane Care Home.
September: The beginning of our year-long Intergenerational Connections Project with Grange Primary & Mill Lane Care Home. Beginning in chronological order with a year 1 class. Learning about human growth and what it was like to live in the 1940's/50's.
October: Connection Exhibition in collaboration with Illuminate Studios.
Challenge completed! 100 miles cycled in 7 hours and 13 minutes, raising £910 for the Intergenerational Connections Project - thank you to everyone who supported & donated.
Article publication, 'The Value of Connection: Keeping connection at the core of care and support'
November/December: Intergenerational Connections group with year 3, who had previously visited earlier in the year. During our walks to & from the care home they would talk about passing the care home with their parents on their journeys to & from town. Each week we tried different ways of creating prints which we hope to display in the New Year inviting the children, residents & their families to come together.
December: The final Intergenerational Connections Parent & Child Meet-Up of the year.
I'm excited to see what 2023 brings
Wishing you all a happy & healthy New Year
Steph
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