Our Intergenerational Stories Programme is bringing generations together through the power of storytelling, creating meaningful connections between young people and older adults in our community.
The project paired secondary school students from TMDF’s Official Partner Schools with older adults supported by our services. We invited several groups of students to listen to, and record, the life stories of our clients, including their childhood, education, careers, relationships, and valuable life lessons. Over two sessions, the students conducted respectful interviews and wrote short biographies that capture the richness of each of these personal histories.
The students began by meeting at our premises, where they were introduced to their individual partners and guided through the interview process, using question prompts provided in a guide booklet. From favourite school subjects and first jobs to cherished travel memories and reflections on life’s challenges, the students uncovered stories that might otherwise have remained untold.
Pictured in this article is a group of students from Northampton International Academy, who met with some of our club members and volunteers earlier this year in June. A group of year 12 students from Northampton School for Boys also participated in the programme.
After writing the biographies, the students visited for a second time to review their stories with their partners, ensuring accuracy and giving each participant a chance to respond before finalising the work.
The project launched on June 5th, 2025, and will culminate in a curated exhibition later in this year, where each story will be displayed on an individual storyboard complete with photographs and images representing key moments from each participant’s life. Families, teachers, peers, and the wider community will all be invited to attend.
Each story will also be featured in an online archive on TMDF’s website, creating a lasting digital legacy for the participants, students, their families, schools, and the wider community.
This programme reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthen community bonds, reduce loneliness, and create opportunities for engagement across all ages. It offers young people a chance to develop empathy and confidence, while giving older adults the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Our founder, Teresa, explained: “This is such an important project, and something we’ve been really passionate about getting started for a long time now. We support so many older people across the community who may not have the family, or digital knowledge to otherwise share these stories – and we did not want to let that happen. Thanks to the fantastic work of these students, their legacies can now be preserved for many years to come.
The project has also given the students involved a great opportunity to connect with people they may not have met otherwise. It’s helped them to build on important skills like empathy, communication and writing, and offered the opportunity to broaden their perspectives.”
Our Intergenerational Stories Programme is a shining example of how community-led initiatives can unite people while enriching the social fabric of Northamptonshire.
