Building Bridges
A project by NTYC
Over the course of the past year, the young members of the Nadur Teen & Youth Centre (NTYC) successfully carried out an intergenerational project that brought together young people and elderly members of our community through four diverse and meaningful activities. The project was born out of a desire to combat loneliness among the elderly, strengthen the bonds between generations, and encourage young people to become active citizens through volunteering and solidarity. Each activity addressed a different need while creating opportunities for friendship, learning, and mutual respect.
Our first activity was the production of a traditional comedy performed entirely by young volunteers from the Nadur Teen & Youth Centre. Months of preparation, rehearsals, stage construction, and promotion culminated in a wonderful evening that welcomed a large audience, particularly elderly members of our community. The performance brought laughter, nostalgia, and happiness to those present, while also allowing the young actors and volunteers to develop confidence, teamwork, creativity, and organisational skills. The event demonstrated how culture and theatre can become powerful tools for bringing people together.
During the Christmas season, the young people of NTYC organised our second activity by visiting elderly people in their homes. Before the visits, they prepared homemade cookies, designed and wrote personalised Christmas cards, and assembled festive goodie bags. Throughout the visits, they spent quality time with the elderly, listened to their stories, sang traditional Christmas carols, and shared moments of joy and companionship. For many elderly participants, these visits were among the highlights of their Christmas celebrations, making them feel remembered, appreciated, and loved. At the same time, the young volunteers discovered the importance of listening, empathy, and the value of giving their time to others.
The third activity focused on preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of the Nadur Carnival. Members of the Nadur Teen & Youth Centre visited elderly residents to interview them about their memories, traditions, costumes, and experiences of Carnival celebrations from decades ago. They collected old photographs, newspaper cuttings, stories, and memorabilia, which were then carefully organised into a public exhibition. The exhibition also featured artwork inspired by Carnival, created by young participants, including talented neurodivergent artists who played an active role in designing and producing creative displays. A multimedia presentation combining photographs and recorded memories was shown throughout the exhibition, allowing visitors to experience the evolution of one of our locality's most treasured traditions while appreciating the invaluable contribution of the elderly.
Our fourth and final activity was the creation of an intergenerational podcast series. Young volunteers from NTYC researched topics, prepared interview questions, learned how to use podcast equipment, and recorded a number of conversations with elderly guests. The discussions explored themes such as childhood memories, family life, local traditions, faith, community values, and the lessons that life had taught them. The podcasts allowed the elderly to share their wisdom with a wider audience while helping the youth develop communication, interviewing, technical, and digital media skills. The episodes remain available online, ensuring that these stories will continue to inspire future generations.
Looking back, the project exceeded our expectations. It strengthened relationships between the young members of the Nadur Teen & Youth Centre and the elderly, reduced feelings of loneliness, preserved valuable aspects of our local history, promoted inclusion by actively involving young people with different abilities, and encouraged a culture of volunteering and solidarity within our community. The friendships that were formed continue beyond the project itself, proving that genuine human connection can have a lasting impact on individuals and on society as a whole. The experience also strengthened the mission of the Nadur Teen & Youth Centre as a place where young people are empowered to serve others, develop their talents, and become responsible citizens who make a positive difference in their community.
All these activities formed part of a project co-funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps programme.