THE OLDER People’s Commissioner for Wales was back in Caerphilly this week to visit an exciting new project that’s bringing people of all ages together to help build a stronger community.
The Commissioner joined the Intergenerational Gardening Group based in Van Community Centre last Monday (April 27), to learn more about the positive impact it’s making and the benefits for member and volunteers.
The group opened its doors just before Easter this year, and provides an opportunity for people of all ages to come together on Monday afternoons, to get involved in gardening and learn new skills.
The Commissioner got stuck into this week’s session, which focused on decorating plant pots ready for seeds to be planted in them the following week. The activity enabled people of all ages to chat and get to know one another, bridging the gap between the younger and older generations.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies with Derek, a volunteer at the Van Community Centre in Caerphilly
The Van Community centre itself is run by a dedicated group of volunteers, who provide a full and engaging schedule of activities alongside the gardening group, including seated movement classes, youth clubs, theatre groups, and the popular Cwtch Café, which uses ingredients from the garden and local allotments to prepare a 3 course meal for older people on a pay-if-you-can basis.
The Commissioner spoke with a large number of volunteers and keen gardeners, who told her about the strong sense of community and connection that they have found at Van Community Centre, helping to reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness. The Commissioner visited the group as part of a range of activities planned for Global Intergenerational Week, which celebrates the value of connections between generations and promotes opportunities for shared learning and understanding.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “This visit gave me a real insight into the pride people have in the spaces and places they call home.
“Many older people that I met during the afternoon spoke to me about how the centre is a safe space for them to chat to others without fear of judgement.
“I spoke with older people at length about how difficult it can be to ask for support, and how this centre is trying to break down that barrier by being an encouraging space for people, and aims to create an environment that people want to keep returning to.
“Throughout the day, I had some really valuable discussions with the volunteers about the challenges they face in encouraging more people to volunteer at the centre.
“I was also moved by some of the personal testimonies of the volunteers that I spoke to, particularly Derek, who volunteers at the centre everyday.
“He told me that the centre gives him purpose, and a feeling that he is making a positive contribution to people’s lives.
“The Van Community Centre is a fantastic example of an intergenerational space which brings together people of all ages to support and learn from each other, and I would like to thank everyone that I met for such a lovely afternoon.”
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