‘GENERATIONS TOGETHER’
IN THE SACRED HEART PARISH

In February 2003, with the encouragement, support and great vision from Parish Priest Father Gerard Mitchell the concept of ‘Generations Together’ in the Sacred Heart Parish came into being. We wanted to provide opportunities for younger people from the Ursuline High School and Wimbledon College and older people from the Parish to meet and talk together; to learn from and about one another and exchange views and life experiences in safe, friendly and supportive settings, which would not only be rewarding for both age groups, but also lead to a deepening of moral and spiritual values.

Since then, ‘Generations Together’ lunches, Intergenerational Discussion Forums, ‘Generations Together’ IT Clinics’ and Intergenerational Question-Times entitled ‘Generations Question Together’ have taken place during term-time. These activities have not only been successful, but immensely enjoyable for all ages.

DATES SO FAR AGREED ARE:-

‘GENERATIONS TOGETHER’ IT CLINICS at the Ursuline High School on Fridays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November and 2nd December 2011 - 12.30 p.m. – 1.45 p.m. also 24th February, 2nd, 9th and 16th March 2012 - 12.30 p.m. - 1.45 p.m.

INTERGENERATIONAL DISCUSSION FORUMS Tuesday 11th October 2011, 3.30 p.m., Thursday 9th February 2012, 3.30 p.m. and Thursday 26th April 2012, 3.30 p.m. at the Ursuline High School and Thursday 28th June 2012, 3.30pm at Wimbledon College.

The next 'GENERATIONS QUESTION TOGETHER' will take place at Wimbledon College on Thursday 17th November 2011 commencing at 1.30 p.m.  There will be another at the College on Thursday 15th March 2012, commencing at 1.30 p.m. 

Feedback regarding our ‘Generations Together’ initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive, with older parishioners telling us:

• ‘It’s a marvellous way of finding out the views of young people to-day, plus their life-styles and ambitions, which are so different from ours when we were at school. The company is always nice and the food is good’.
• ‘I and, I am sure, many others – young and old – have benefited from these experiences. They are extremely valuable and augur well for the future. Long may they continue!’

Students have commented:

• ‘I met a variety of people that I would not normally encounter’.
• ‘I have learnt that spending time with others is enjoyable and rewarding’.
• ‘I have gained more self-confidence by talking to older people’.
• ‘I have learnt to be more understanding of a range of people’.
• ‘I have bettered my social skills and heard many stories about the past’.
• ‘I have learnt to interact with older generations’.

Further information concerning the ‘Generations Together’ programme can be obtained by leaving a message at the bookshop 8946 0305 or by telephoning Sheila Gent 8390 0119.