An new cross generational project is seeking volunteers to help in Donegal.
The Community Time Machine initiative is an age-friendly cross-generational community archive project designed to connect young people with their older neighbours through a series of facilitated interviews, art projects and photography. It is a simple and fun way to have a positive impact and strengthen community connections.
Neighbourhood Network is delighted to be launching this initiative in Co. Donegal this autumn in partnership with The Creative Ireland Programme, Age Friendly Ireland, Donegal County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Community members across Co. Donegal are now invited to come on board as organisers for this exciting project. The role of community organisers is to gather 5-6 young people, aged 12 – 18, to interview senior members of their community over the phone. The interviews give both participants a valuable opportunity to learn from each other and connect with their community.
Monica Boyle, Carrickmacross – by John Nutley 6
Each group that takes part will be given €100 towards a charity/group of their choice and a time capsule to store their project in. A professional portrait photographer will visit each of the seniors involved in the project to take their portrait. The seniors will then receive their printed photo and all of the participants will have their work displayed on the national time machine gallery website.
Donegal County’s Council Chief Executive, John G. McLaughlin said “I am delighted that the Donegal Age Friendly Programme will be involved in this Age Friendly intergenerational project. We are confident that this will be another successful project where older people and young people collaborate and we are very much looking forward to seeing the unique perspectives of our younger and older generations”.
Ciara Perks has been acting as a Community Organiser, connecting young people and seniors who live in her area by facilitating interviews, inspiring them to create art works and capturing images to show how the community looks now and how it looked in the past. Ciara says:
“This project has been a really eye opening experience for the young participants and myself, seeing the joy the area has brought to so many people even in the toughest of times.”
The Community Time Machine is a great way to get to know more about your community and its history, create something unique and develop community connections. The result is an inspiring collection of insights into the hearts and souls that make up communities all over the county.
If this sounds like a project you would like to see come to life in your area, visit https://timemachine.neighbourhoodnetwork.ie/ to get involved! We would also love to hear from any youth groups, schools or clubs who might be interested in taking part.
