Experiential Learning Project Profile
GH01-007
ENGAGEMENT:
Intergenerational Innovation from
Yesteryear to Future
Background
Hong Kong is facing the challenges of a rapidly ageing population
as with other developed regions. Our community partner, the
LinkAges Centre focuses on implementing intergenerational practice
in Hong Kong. Through purposefully structured intergenerational
interactions, positive attitudes between generations and
intergenerational solidarity can be enhanced. HKU students can interact with elders, and
help address social issues arise from the ageing population.
Possible Experiential Learning Projects and Activities
• “Grandpal Recipes”: Students can collect life stories from the elders on family food
culture. Students will record both the recipes and the stories, and produce a cookbook
named “Grandpal Recipes “.
• Budget Cooking for Elders: Elders are always considered as frugal; therefore, they
tend to neglect the importance of eating healthily. Eating healthily on a cheap budget
should be advocated to prevent elders’ malnutrition with the assistance of community
cooking experts - women.
• Apps for Elders: More elders are willing to use smart phones or tablet PCs, however
with the rapid advancement of technology, some elders find it hard to follow. Students
are expected to develop Apps for elders or to propose suitable ideas for Elderly Apps
development in Hong Kong.
PROJECT LOCATION
Southern District,
Hong Kong
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Aberdeen Kaifong Welfare
Association
• Clubhouse for all Ages: The project aims to collect innovative ideas from students in
order to create a clubhouse for public housing estate, which is suitable for people of
all ages.
• Special Education Training for Tutor: Teach with Fun Voluntary group consists
of elders, retirees and women who provide after school care for children in needs.
Students are expected to teach the children with volunteers and provide trainings for
volunteers to equip them with a better understanding on special education and class
management.
Some professional training and support to students on project implementation.
• Simulation Programme on Ageing (SPA): This is an one-off experiential learning
activity that participants are able to experience the life of an elderly person in their
70s/80s by wearing special gears. Participants will then undertake a series of tasks to
experience real scenarios and hardships faced by the elderly. Elder volunteers will also
interact with the participants in different settings.
• Trainings, Workshops and Support on Implementing community projects: A
working manual with details on how to implement intergenerational programmes will
be provided as a reference. Training workshops to facilitate students’ understanding
of the needs of different/ specific age group as well as the skills on implementing
community projects can be provided.
Summary
Students are invited to collaborate with the community partner to have direct contacts
with the elders. There will be a first hand simulated experience of aging through a
one-off introductory session. Students can also communicate and collaborate with
elderly people to devise a range of projects, activities and/or products to enhance
elderly’s daily life. Students should be able to develop better interpersonal and social
skills communicating with the elderly. They are expected to show more respect and
appreciation to the elderly after these creative interactions with them. More importantly,
students will have the opportunities to reflect and investigate the aging issues in Hong
Kong.
KEY AREAS
Intergeneration, Aging
Society, Nutrition, Food
Culture, Oral history,
Elderly Empowerment,
Special Education, Elderly
Empowerment, Apps,
Social Issues, aging, elderly,
education
Interested faculty members are
welcome to contact Amia Cheung,
Lecturer of GHELC
Phone: 2219 4877
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ghelc.hku.hk