Members of Gorseinon Youth Club, run by Swansea Council’s Evolve Youth Service, wanted to challenge negative perceptions some older people have of younger ones and vice versa.
While attending an eight week entrepreneurship project they came up with the idea of ‘Afternoon Teens’, which involved planning, organising and running afternoon teas for the Ageing Well community.
The pitched their idea to local ward councillors who then provided some funding and the Welsh Government also contributed via its Loneliness & Isolation Fund.
It has now been held in five of the council’s Early Help Hubs and culminated in a final Grand Tea Party at the National Waterfront Museum at the weekend to mark Intergenerational Week.
Working with the Evolve team the young people transformed the buildings by decorating them to replicate traditional tea rooms, with bone china, handmade decorations and a cosy ambience.
The tea parties have included a huge variety of snacks, sandwiches, homemade cakes and treats and entertainment has been provided in the form of a raffle and bingo.
The young people have had the chance to develop and showcase their skills in budgeting, funding, cooking, serving food and drinks to older group members and the Ageing Well groups have had a cracking time and are now planning to reciprocate by putting on an event for their new young friends.
(Image: Swansea Council)
Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, Hayley Gwilliam, said: “Each one has been marked a huge success by attendees, young and old.
“The events have been great fun for everyone involved, and hopefully will mark the start of many more new opportunities for intergenerational relationships to develop.
“The young people involved deserve huge credit for their brilliant ideas and the hard work they have done by preparing for these events by completing food hygiene courses, making sandwiches and baked goods and for providing entertainment while giving up their Saturdays.
“As well as all those who attended I would like to thank Evolve, the council’s Partnership & Involvement Team and our Ageing Well Team for working together in helping to support young and old to get together and share some special times.”
(Lead image: Swansea Council)
