A groundbreaking educational programme which brings teenagers and retired people together in the classroom celebrated 10 years in existence recently.
Originating from NUI Galway’s Adult and Continuing Education Office, “Living Scenes” is an intergenerational learning programme involving transition year students and local retired adults.
The initiative allows teenagers and older adults to learn together, share experiences and build bonds of mutual respect and understanding through weekly art, music, drama and creative writing workshops.
Strong emphasis is placed on the holistic development of the participants, promoting equality, personal development and confidence building in both the younger and older adults.
The innovative programme was first piloted at the Presentation Secondary School in the city in 1999 and quickly became established as part of its transition year. Living Scenes has since developed and expanded through partnerships between NUI Galway and five other secondary schools - Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Millstreet Community School, Co Cork, St Flannan’s College, Ennis, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Charlestown, Co Mayo and St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla, Co Clare.
A major entertainment production was staged at The Ardilaun recently involving the current participants in Living Scenes.
Clíona Ní Néill, principal of Presentation Secondary School, Galway, described the programme as a “highly valued project”.
“It has taught young people to value an older generation and conversely it has given the older generation a new and positive lens to understand and enjoy teenagers. Students have benefited hugely in the areas of personal development, communication and confidence building skills. It has enriched our students’ understanding of life, given them a broader perspective and it has created a sense of community in the school. We are delighted as a staff and as a school to be associated and involved with NUI Galway in this programme.”
NUI Galway’s Dr Mary Surlis, director of Living Scenes, said at a time when there is a “serious erosion of social fabric” evident in Irish society, the programme aims to respond to the growing need for communication and trust in both schools and the local community. “What we are trying to do is to regenerate relationships both in schools and communities and, perhaps more importantly, between our older and our younger generations.”
Dr Surlis has carried out extensive research to evaluate the project in a developmental curricular capacity and to identify its contribution in an overall educational context.
“The findings of this research have implications for policy makers as well as school and community groups interested in initiating change in a curricular and social context.”
President of NUI Galway, Dr James J Browne said NUI Galway is committed to a strong ethos of civic engagement.
“We develop this by fostering a sense of social responsibility and citizenship amongst students and by working to share the knowledge resources of the university with the wider community. The Living Scenes programme of intergenerational learning is the embodiment of that ethos - reaching from the university into the heart of the community to work with schools and with older people. As president, I am proud of the unique and pioneering work which NUI Galway has led, through Living Scenes, in building social cohesion in Ireland.”
