LAET Celebrates Intergenerational Week in Partnership with Generation Exchange
During the final week of the May half-term, LAET proudly hosted its annual Intergenerational Week celebration. Delivered in partnership with Generation Exchange, the event brought our students together with elderly members of the local community for a vibrant afternoon of shared activities, learning, and mutual celebration.
This event highlights LAET’s long-running and cherished partnership with Generation Exchange, an organisation founded on the belief that bringing different age groups together fosters stronger, more empathetic communities. Over the years, this collaboration has successfully bridged the generation gap. Our students regularly step into the role of teachers, helping local elders master everything from conversational Spanish to vital digital skills, while simultaneously gaining invaluable life wisdom and perspective from the older generation.
The centrepiece of this year's celebration was a fantastic line-up of student-led workshops, which saw guests and volunteers teaming up for crafts and crochet, board games and chess, table tennis, and an energetic Zumba and dance session.
Music also played a major part in the day. In addition to the interactive workshops, the choir group put on a wonderful performance, showcasing two pieces they had been working hard on: In the Jungle and the classic Let it Be.
This year’s half-term event was a resounding success, filled with music, great food, and fantastic activities. The fine weather added to the bright atmosphere, but it was the meaningful connections made across generations that truly stole the show.
Feedback from our guests was incredibly moving. Leonie Eisenberg, one of the event organisers, shared some of the wonderful comments received from local elders:
“Just wanted to say thank you for yesterday and all of the wonderful volunteers. The spread and decoration were beyond words.”
“Thank you so much for an enjoyable afternoon. I loved meeting all the friendly students, new friends and learning new things.”
“Thank you to you, the staff and the wonderful LAET students for yesterday’s event. The music, the food, the opportunity to meet old acquaintances and, in my case, learning something new. A huge thank you again to all involved!”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Generation Exchange and all the community members who joined us. Most of all, we are incredibly proud of our student volunteers whose warmth, patience, and enthusiasm continue to make a lasting, positive impact on our local community.
Photo Credit: Rebecca L., Year 12