There were incredible words shared about how their time together had taught them so much, amazing pictures presented of the Umbrian countryside, rainbows painted and even a mobile app coded and made especially so one of the Elders can keep track of his favourite football team and play his own game of soccer !!

The Elders acknowledged the qualities they admired about their new Teen friends, and offered them advice for their futures… including wise words as simple as ” Be friends with everyone”

This 6 week pilot program is just the first STEP (excuse the
pun ) – relationships have been forged, families were introduced, tears were shed… info packs on opportunities for further volunteering opportunities to interact with Bupa’s inspiring residents were eagerly requested.

Thanks again to Kids Giving Back who have opportunities for programs in Aged Care and a range of other community experiences.

“A modern day rite of passage is achieved when the community create experiences for youth which are perceived to be transformative and, in fact, offer them increased status within the community and facilitate their healthy transition through adolescence” (Blumenkrantz, 1996)

STEP was designed using a Rites of Passage framework – you can learn more about this here
https://heartandsoulstory.com/…/recognising-the-critical-i…/

“Who of us in our digitalized and remote lives has not wondered about our disappearing sense of connectedness — face to face, person to person and within a tribe? The more we find ourselves hitting “send,” “reply,” and “post,” the less connected we often feel and become … there is a growing longing to return to a sense of real community ” ( http://www.ritesofpassagevisionquest.org/need-community-rites-passage/)

The next STEP will likely run late Jan/ Early Feb so if you are interested or know anybody who you think may be please go here and share   https://www.facebook.com/heartandsoulstory/