Empoweringolder adults:An explorationof ProjectSilverlight
With insights from: Project Silverlight: Community based and participant-led initiatives to increase civic engagement among older adults Lim Wensi, ROSA Centre Manager
Project Silverlight
shines a light on how we can fosterwell-being, social engagement and connection for older adults. Its goal was to develop a new approach to social engagement for older adults. Sitting in the driver’s seat, they were given the tools and confidence to organise social activities that benefit themselves and their entire community.
Project Silverlight was structured to involve the local communities from the get-go by partnering with local organisations, students, and engaging groups of older adults to learn what kind of activities their community would like and need.
This resulted in 19 different activities planned:
2 Aug 2022
10 Aug 2022
15 Aug 2022
24 Aug 2022
18 Oct 2022
21 Oct 2022
23 Nov 2022
SMU Day out + National Gallery + Discussion & Planning
SMU Day out + Discussion & Planning
Discussion & planning session @ TNCC
SMU ArtsFest Concert
Sembawang Hot Sprring
Night Safari
Changi Beach Intertidal Walk
Arts & Culture; Planning
Planning
Planning
Arts & Culture
Rediscovering Singapore
Rediscovering Singapore
Rediscovering Singapore
24 Nov 2022
13 Dec 2022
29 Dec 2022
27 Feb 2023
30 Mar 2023
23 Feb 2023
21 Mar 2023
Discussion & planning session @ TNCC
Baking Workshop
Pottery Workshop
Pickleball Workshop
Rail Corridor Guided Walk [2]
Terrarium Workshop
Rail Corridor Guided Walk [1]
Planning
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning
Physical Activity
Rediscovering Singapore
Lifelong Learning
Rediscovering Singapore
11 Apr 2023
26 Apr 2023
27 Apr 2023
19 May 2023
30 May 2023
Gardening Workshop
Hokkaido Cupcake Baking Workshop
Hong Kong Flaky Egg Tart Baking Workshop
Bird Paradise
Van Gogh Experience
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learrning
Rediscovering Singapore
Arts & Culture
Key Takeaway #1:
Intergenerational interaction
According to Lim Wensi, the intergenerational interaction of older adults and student facilitators greatly benefited both parties’ impressions of each other.
“Both the students, who were involved in the programme, and the older adults reported having changes of perspectives about each other. In particular, older adults were happier in terms of their understanding of the youth and what the seniors personally contribute to society. So for any programme where we want to engage older adults, it's always important to think about this intergenerational type of transfers, and how we can build that into new programmes where feasible.” - Lim Wensi
Key Takeaway #2:
Social Capital
One thing that led to the success of Project Silverlight was the building of organic social capital within the community. A programme like Project Silverlight provides the platform for people to come together over a certain period of time, to kind of build up their level of comfort and trust in one another.
“The activities or programmes itself don't matter. It depends on the composition of the group. Are they more active people? Are there more men or women? What are they interested in? Can the group itself come to some consensus in terms of what they want to do? Through this process, it allows them to build up a support network for themselves to take part in moving forward.” - Lim Wensi
It’s important to really know who you’re trying to serve, and what it is that the community really needs. This is why Project Silverlight met with local community members to put these activities together.
Key Takeaway #3:
Who You’re Serving
“Start by identifying your target audience - and speak with them directly. Avoid assuming their needs; what you think they require may not reflect their actual priorities. There could be better ways to support their involvement in your programme. Consider using focus group discussions or hosting dialogues in community spaces, as these create opportunities for meaningful conversations and help you gain deeper understanding of the community’s needs.” - Lim Wensi
References
STRAUGHAN, Paulin T.; TOV, William; LIM, Wensi; NGU, Rachel; TAN, Yan Er; and TADAI, Mindy Eiko. Project Silverlight: Community based and participant-led initiatives to increase civic engagement among older adults. (2023). 1-47. Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/rosa_reports/22
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Transcript
Empoweringolder adults:An explorationof ProjectSilverlight
With insights from: Project Silverlight: Community based and participant-led initiatives to increase civic engagement among older adults Lim Wensi, ROSA Centre Manager
Project Silverlight
shines a light on how we can fosterwell-being, social engagement and connection for older adults. Its goal was to develop a new approach to social engagement for older adults. Sitting in the driver’s seat, they were given the tools and confidence to organise social activities that benefit themselves and their entire community.
Project Silverlight was structured to involve the local communities from the get-go by partnering with local organisations, students, and engaging groups of older adults to learn what kind of activities their community would like and need.
This resulted in 19 different activities planned:
2 Aug 2022
10 Aug 2022
15 Aug 2022
24 Aug 2022
18 Oct 2022
21 Oct 2022
23 Nov 2022
SMU Day out + National Gallery + Discussion & Planning
SMU Day out + Discussion & Planning
Discussion & planning session @ TNCC
SMU ArtsFest Concert
Sembawang Hot Sprring
Night Safari
Changi Beach Intertidal Walk
Arts & Culture; Planning
Planning
Planning
Arts & Culture
Rediscovering Singapore
Rediscovering Singapore
Rediscovering Singapore
24 Nov 2022
13 Dec 2022
29 Dec 2022
27 Feb 2023
30 Mar 2023
23 Feb 2023
21 Mar 2023
Discussion & planning session @ TNCC
Baking Workshop
Pottery Workshop
Pickleball Workshop
Rail Corridor Guided Walk [2]
Terrarium Workshop
Rail Corridor Guided Walk [1]
Planning
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning
Physical Activity
Rediscovering Singapore
Lifelong Learning
Rediscovering Singapore
11 Apr 2023
26 Apr 2023
27 Apr 2023
19 May 2023
30 May 2023
Gardening Workshop
Hokkaido Cupcake Baking Workshop
Hong Kong Flaky Egg Tart Baking Workshop
Bird Paradise
Van Gogh Experience
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learrning
Rediscovering Singapore
Arts & Culture
Key Takeaway #1:
Intergenerational interaction
According to Lim Wensi, the intergenerational interaction of older adults and student facilitators greatly benefited both parties’ impressions of each other.
“Both the students, who were involved in the programme, and the older adults reported having changes of perspectives about each other. In particular, older adults were happier in terms of their understanding of the youth and what the seniors personally contribute to society. So for any programme where we want to engage older adults, it's always important to think about this intergenerational type of transfers, and how we can build that into new programmes where feasible.” - Lim Wensi
Key Takeaway #2:
Social Capital
One thing that led to the success of Project Silverlight was the building of organic social capital within the community. A programme like Project Silverlight provides the platform for people to come together over a certain period of time, to kind of build up their level of comfort and trust in one another.
“The activities or programmes itself don't matter. It depends on the composition of the group. Are they more active people? Are there more men or women? What are they interested in? Can the group itself come to some consensus in terms of what they want to do? Through this process, it allows them to build up a support network for themselves to take part in moving forward.” - Lim Wensi
It’s important to really know who you’re trying to serve, and what it is that the community really needs. This is why Project Silverlight met with local community members to put these activities together.
Key Takeaway #3:
Who You’re Serving
“Start by identifying your target audience - and speak with them directly. Avoid assuming their needs; what you think they require may not reflect their actual priorities. There could be better ways to support their involvement in your programme. Consider using focus group discussions or hosting dialogues in community spaces, as these create opportunities for meaningful conversations and help you gain deeper understanding of the community’s needs.” - Lim Wensi
References
STRAUGHAN, Paulin T.; TOV, William; LIM, Wensi; NGU, Rachel; TAN, Yan Er; and TADAI, Mindy Eiko. Project Silverlight: Community based and participant-led initiatives to increase civic engagement among older adults. (2023). 1-47. Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/rosa_reports/22