What's next for the CIC programme?
The CIC partners involved in the Creating Intergenerational Communities programme, along with other organisations, are increasingly convinced of the value of developing intergenerational quality assurance guidance, to better support the intergenerational work developing in local communities in a very practical way. We believe that to build good practice, the way in which intergenerational work is planned and implemented should meet certain standards of quality, keeping in mind basic core intergenerational principles and standards. If you follow the new principles and standards set out in the CIC programme and toolkit, the chances are your intergenerational project will have greater impact, improved outcomes and sustainability.
To develop sustainable intergenerational programmes, we need more than good intentions.
To reconnect communities, challenge age discrimination and respond to the growing mental health crisis of loneliness and social isolation in the UK, we need community based intergenerational programmes developed around reflective good practice and high standards.
Evaluation and feedback from the CIC programme clearly demonstrated that the CIC toolkit has been instrumental in improving intergenerational practice for all practitioners, even those that have been delivering intergenerational work for years. The full outcomes, evaluation and legacy from the pilot can be read here. What is particularly exciting is that when looking at the contribution of the Creating Intergenerational Communities project, £3.7 million social value has been created through increased skills and knowledge across the sector in establishing and growing intergenerational practice, and through that, increased physical and mental health, increased wellbeing and improvements in school and in cognitive skills for young and older people.
This means that £6.97 was created when using the CIC programme and toolkit, for every £1 invested (based on £529,760 funded by the National Lottery Community Fund), which is very exciting.
We now want to offer individuals and organisations in the UK the same opportunity to improve their intergenerational practice through the CIC toolkit and training programme. Those that do so will receive CIC recognition which will indicate the high standard of your intergenerational practice and will be able to join the CIC Community of Practice.
What do I have to do to be part of the CIC Community of Practice Programme?
Step 1 – Contact the lead organisation in your country and ask for information.
England: Apples and Honey Nightingale
Northern Ireland: Linking Generations
Scotland: Generations Working Together
Step 2 – Discuss this with your intergenerational community partner. It is important that everyone understands and goes through the process together. You will both be asked to sign an agreement with your country lead.
Step 3 – Book on to the required country training, which is:
- Intergenerational training (6 hrs)
- Quality Indicator (toolkit) training (2.5 hrs)
- Evaluation training (3 hrs)
Two people from each partner organisation will be required to complete the training. By training and upskilling two practitioners from each organisation, the CIC Programme will foster a sustainable legacy of effective intergenerational activities, reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing.
Please note: To ensure quality, the required training can only be accessed through the three country organisations.
Step 4 - Join the online CIC Peer Network. Network meetings can be booked here.
Network meetings are held online approx. every six weeks and last for one hour. Meetings vary and are an opportunity to meet others using the toolkit and share best practice.
Step 5 – Once your training has been completed and you have attended two Network meetings and shared your intergenerational project, your project will be added to the CIC Community of Practice UK map.
What do you receive in return?
- Recognition that your intergenerational practice is of good quality
- Accredited training
- Advice and support through the CIC Network & country organisations
- A regular CIC newsletter
- Being part of the UK wide CIC programme
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