“Humanity has unquestionably one really effective weapon—laughter. Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution—these can lift at a colossal humbug—push it a little—weaken it a little, century by century, but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand” Mark Twain
According to Dr Nina Radcliff of the Washington Times “The ability to laugh is a powerful health resource, mentally, emotionally and physically. And too, it is a powerful agent in keeping relationships healthy. Studies have shown that a strong, positive bond is created when we laugh with one another.” Conversation. Stories. Empathy. Compassion. Laughter. A wonderfully simple cocktail for wellbeing.
#laughteristhebestmedicine
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #intergenerationalprogram
#community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #empathy #stories4connection #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #seniorcare #eldercare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends #life
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
“ Humanity has unquestionably one really effective weapon—laughter. Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution—these can lift at a colossal humbug—push it a little—weaken it a little, century by century, but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand” Mark Twain
According to Dr Nina Radcliff of the Washington Times “The ability to laugh is a powerful health resource, mentally, emotionally and physically. And too, it is a powerful agent in keeping relationships healthy. Studies have shown that a strong, positive bond is created when we laugh with one another.” Conversation. Stories. Empathy. Compassion. Laughter. A wonderfully simple cocktail for wellbeing.
#laughteristhebestmedicine
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #intergenerationalprogram
#community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #empathy #stories4connection #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #seniorcare #eldercare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends #life
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”. I’ve used this fabulous Forest Gump quote many a time whilst facilitating STEP because it is just so true! .... we’ve had a break in program before because of illness at the Aged Care, but unfortunately this week the students were not able to make it to visit the residents due to last minute illness from the school side - never fear, we have the ability & technology to keep the connection and messages flowing ( swipe 👉to see sweet message from Kevin & Louise this week; students replies to follow ..) I dream of how technology in the future will enable ongoing connection even when illness strikes. Whilst I am a firm believer it will never be a patch on actual, face to face connection, I know technology has an important role to play in how we maintain community connection when being there together in the same room isn’t possible.
Thanks to the wonderful Jane Montgomery, a program implementation officer for Agency of Clinical Innovation with a passion for the intergenerational connection we are doing here at Heart and Souk Story, for joining us this week.
So wonderful to have you there 🙏
#lifeislikeaboxofchocolates
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #intergenerationalprogram
#community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #empathy #stories4connection #igssyd #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #seniorcare #eldercare #opalagedcare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends #life
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
I’ve used this fabulous Forest Gump quote many a time whilst facilitating STEP because it is just so true! .... we’ve had a break in program before because of illness at the Aged Care, but unfortunately this week the students were not able to make it to visit the residents due to last minute illness from the school side - never fear, we have the ability & technology to keep the connection and messages flowing. I dream of how technology in the future will enable ongoing connection for STEP buddies, even when illness strikes. Whilst I am a firm believer it will never be a patch on actual, face to face connection, I know technology has an important role to play in how we maintain community connection when being there in a room together isn’t possible. ❤️ #forestgump #youneverknowwhatyouregonnaget l
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #intergenerationalprogram
#community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #empathy #stories4connection #igssyd #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #seniorcare #eldercare #opalagedcare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends #life
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
“For in every adult there dwells the child that was, and in every child there lies the adult that will be. “John Connolly, The Book of Lost Things
With two sessions of STEP running this week it was hard to choose which moment of connection to begin with, but this one made my heart light up. At the end of an hour of conversation, laughter, tears and reflection, this mindful young student got up to shake not only the hands of the residents he had mainly been speaking with, but also all others.
In a day and age when teens are often accused of being self-centred, obsessed with their phones and games, and having milli second attention spans, it is important to ask whether we are presenting them with enough opportunities to let their true natures shine?
It is the human condition to so quickly pigeon hole and compartmentalise groups, this is done as much to our teens as to our Elders. The E in STEP is for Empathy, with this program aiming to nurture and develop empathy in our teens, but importantly it is also paramount to ensure we have empathy with our - for the often confusing and challenging transition to adulthood - To help our elders reminisce on a distant time when they too faced their own challenges as adolescents.
Check out what this thoughtful young man said he would do if he won $1 million tomorrow by clicking on the story .... feels so fitting on bkinderday !
#bkinderday #bkinder
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #intergenerationalprogram
#community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #empathy #stories4connection #igssyd #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #seniorcare #eldercare #opalagedcare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends #life
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
You know when a quote pops up that feels just so right you kind of want to tattoo it to your forehead?
I’ve heard and even used different iterations of these words from @simonsinek , but today as I stop to reflect where I am on my journey, as I cast my mind back over all the twists and turns, I realise how utterly true they are. It has been most definitely the chaos, the challenges and those times that I just wanted it to be easier that have pushed me to find new ways, and inevitably have led to many of the most interesting and inspirational moments I’ve encountered whilst running STEP.
It’s a constant struggle to override the insatiable and quite frankly, very annoying, drive for order, but I’ve been so surprised and delighted by what the universe comes up with when I do that I’ve realised I must keep up the battle. Love to hear how creativity has emerged for you when you’ve let go of the need for order ?
#creativity #embracethechaos #orderisoverated
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #stories4connection #youthoffthestreets #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #eldercare #seniorcare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
The Awesome team at the @awesomefoundsyd , who come together monthly to pool their own money and fund community initiatives, are back with another mega grant for Vivid ! Last year, winning this enabled me to run STEP with Youth off the Streets and Bupa Aged Care Maroubra. They are back again with a $3k mega grant to give away at an event at the Museum of Contemporary Art for Vivid next Friday 7th June. They’ve asked me to say a few words on the night on the impact their support has had on my work, followed by the following five pitching for the audience to decide who gets this the grant this year .... “Bringing LUV back to Sydney”. Lighting up Sydney's self-expression with music and inclusiveness.
“Art of Access”. Creative workshops for artists with disabilities, by artists with disabilities.
“Supertee”. Making sick kids in hospital feel like superheroes.
“Theatre of Consciousness”. Breaking down barriers in Waterloo through creative mental health outreach with young people.
“Our Aussie B-boys”. Lifting street dance battles to a higher level of prestige and respect in our cities.
So who decides the outcome? You, the audience! The power to grant will be transferred from the Awesome Foundation Trustees to the event attendees.
If you are free, come along for some spectacular Vivid views of Sydney Harbour and support these great initiatives.
Tickets available in link in bio.
My huge 🙏 and eternal gratitude to the hardworking team @awesomefoundsyd for the kickstart they gave me last year !
#awesomefoundationsydney #vividsydney2019 #mcasydney
#seniorsandteensempathyprogram #intergenerational #community #bringingcommunitybacktogether #heartandsoulstory #sharingstories #startaconversation #stories4connection #youthoffthestreets #volunteering #servicelearning #bethechange #agedcareaustralia #eldercare #seniorcare #bupaagedcare #commonhumanity #mentalhealth #healtheworldtogether #loveoneanother #love #photooftheday #friends
#socialenterprise #socialenterpriseaustralia
