9th August, 2024.
On Wednesday 31 July, the first of eight sessions of an intergenerational program between the Warradale Men's Shed and Warragamba Public School was held. An initiative of Wollondilly Library, the program aims to improve the wellbeing of participants through social interaction and memory-sharing while building on lasting connections. In addition, the students get to have a hands-on approach to woodworking, and, at the end of the program, the students get to take home a finished item that they helped to build themselves, under the supervision of teachers and Men's Shed members. This program, which will span over a couple of months, is a brilliant initiative because it enables students to connect with older generations and to develop empathy and communication skills, which benefits students' mental health. For the Warradale Men's Shed members, the program provides a sense of purpose, and it enhances members' dignity. The findings from this program will be used to help develop future intergenerational programs in our community, and I wish all participants every success. I hope the Men's Shed members enjoy inspiring the younger generation and I hope the students learn some valuable skills.