Can you still flourish in old age…?
This is a question Lower Sixth and Year 7 students have been exploring in a service project with residents at a local care home, Rockdale Village, collaborating on a Harvard University study to share cross-generational secrets to a happy, fulfilled life.
Sixth Form students Sophie and Mika led the project, meeting residents at Rockdale to hear about their lives and experiences, and working with Year 7 students in their Society and Change lessons. They recorded the older people, who spoke about how they find fulfilment in life. Then, inspired by the interviews, the Year 7 students designed, drew and painted art tiles representing what flourishing and happiness means to them.
Mika writes: ‘As they worked, the Year 7s listened to the audio interviews we’d recorded, often giggling as they heard relatable snippets from the residents. They were amazed at how similar they were, despite the 70 or 80 years that separated them.’
In June four ‘happiness chats’ at Rockdale allowed students and residents to share stories over tea and biscuits. Highlights included meeting residents such as Isobel, who at 102 years old was 90 years older than the Year 7s but who still had plenty to say on how to live a happy life.
The students presented their tiles to Rockdale, who plan to display them in the common rooms and dining room for everyone to enjoy.
