The elderly in George are being showered with support and pamper sessions in exchange for teaching youth skills like knitting and needlework.
George, South Africa (29 August 2023) – In an effort to create connection, stave off loneliness and share useful skills like needlework, knitting and beadwork, the Adopt-a-Granny Programme was born in George, Western Cape in 2017. In return, youth organised pamper sessions for the elderly who joined the programme. Today the programme has evolved and is a highlight for many seniors in George.
The George Municipality Community Development Unit in conjunction with the LoveLife programme at the Department of Health, developed the inter-generational programme.
The Adopt-a-Granny Programme was rolled out in 2017, with the aim to provide the necessary support service to the elderly, through youth workers. Activities included the completing of survey forms, and determining which of the elderly needed care. In addition, it included Care services such as the basic cleaning of the homes of the elderly, cooking at times, fetching their medication at the respective clinics, checking up whether they had taken their medication and eaten, pampering services, recreational games, walking exercises and card as well as board games.
Communities involved include Rosemoor, Pacaltsdorp, Blanco, Thembalethu, Lawaaikamp, Parkdene, Conville and Borcherds via door-to-door outreaches. Assistance was provided to the Pacaltsdorp Service Centre, Golden Oldies (Conville), Mazizake Service Centre (Thembalethu) and Sonskynhoekie (Blanco) Service Centre.
The groups meet at different churches and community centres. The Adopt-a-Granny programme has evolved into an intergenerational programme where on certain days the youth will hold pampering sessions for the elderly and during other sessions the elderly will transfer some of their skills to the youth.
Jonel Kerspuy, Coordinator of the Youth Office at George Municipality, says they are currently researching ways of how the youth can also assist the elderly with technology. She goes on to say that many of the elderly are often neglected or misunderstood. The contribution of the elderly to society is not always recognised or explained to the next generation. Part of the aim of the Intergenerational Programme is to address this.
The roll-out of this programme takes place mainly through Youth Peer Educators, with the aim of strengthening the moral fibre in society, by providing a platform for the sharing of skills from one generation to another. It must be highlighted that the programme seeks to provide a care service to the many elderly people who are left to go through the day without any support.
Any youth or youth organisations who would like to join the programme can contact our Youth Office on 044 802 2000
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