Biloela seniors bridging generational gap

Queensland seniors are out and about in the community to elevate social connection.

Community service provider Lutheran Services has created a weekly intergenerational program in a bid to combat loneliness in older Australians.

The Moving Moments program has 32 seniors from Biloela, northwest of Brisbane, currently registered on the program where older adults take part in weekly activities with local kindies, a school and TAFE.

Participating kindergartens include St Joseph’s and Coo-Inda and Prospect Creek State School, 10 kilometres west of Biloela.

Moving Moments’ program coordinator Judy Mazzer said the program has been overwhelmingly successful in creating lasting friendships while improving participants’ wellbeing since its launch in 2021 with a goal to reverse the impact of isolation.

“The benefits of the beautiful friendships forged between some of oldest and youngest members of the town has gone above our expectations,” Ms Mazzer said.

“The program is treasured by our members, the children, their teachers and parents. The children call the seniors ‘their VIPs’ and when the see their Moving Moments friends around the town they call out an excited ‘Hello VIP.’”

Ms Mazzer said that most of the children don’t have older family members living in the area so through their interactions with the VIPs they learn social skills, respect and communication by reading books together, playing games, doing art and craft, or sharing lunch.

“I had one member of the group tell me ‘if I hadn’t become involved in Moving Moments I would have died of loneliness’. This comment brought home to me the importance of this program and its positive benefits have spread to younger generations of the community,’’ Ms Mazzer said.

Jenny Binzer at Coo-Inda kindy is regular participant in the program. (Image supplied)

Moving Moments participant Jenny Binzer, 87, said that everyone in the group feels happier, more optimist and positive, and look forward to the activities Judy has organised.

“We are more active physically by not sitting at home. I particularly love being with the kindy kids and always go home tired yet happy,” she said. “It’s something I look forward to each week.’’

The generosity of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, local community and philanthropy keep the program going and a grant from CS Energy proved to be a great help.  

The Banana Shire Council is currently helping to keep the program alive while other benefactors are sought.

Ms Mazzer said the goal is to visit every other town in the Banana Shire. “The whole town is aware of what we do and the benefits of the program. I am very proud of our achievements and believe it’s essential to keep our seniors involved in the community as they age,” he said.

“We are fortunate that our local council sees the value and importance of the program to the town and we really appreciate this support. We are also actively seeking funding sources to continue into the future.”

Moving Moments is open to anyone wishing to engage in a range of social, educational and intergenerational activities, aged over 65 or over 55 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The activities are held three to five times a week.

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Tags: intergenerational, Lutheran Services Queensland, moving moments,

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