I will start here - meeting Kirsty McLuckie means you will meet a DGS champion, a champion of people and of intergenerational connections. I'll start there, as Kirsty is that essential ingredient in any project - the "Can Do"-er. 

Kirsty is featured in the video from Eat Well Age Well above, but she is clear that it is the pupils and their grandfriends who are the stars of the project and the intergenerational work - she is 'just a facilitator', but that means she is the treasure in this project as Kirsty instinctively knows that bringing it all together needs an individual or a core group who support as much, or as little, to make things happen well. 

Kirsty also always highlights 'the team approach' - the support from Head Teacher of the school - and from all the other staff, who value all that the pupils gain and enjoy the intergenerational connections. It's clear to see what an incredible range of experiences and opportunities are offered beyond the norm, which help support the children and young people immeasurably and support the positive relationship of school within its communites. The partnerships with Dementia Friendly East Lothian and Dunbar Rotary - and the support from families and the wider community is embedded. That's a recipe for intergenerational success - and success it certainly is!

Dunbar Grammar had been running Old and Young Diners for several years - now evolved into Dunbar Dinners, but with the pandemic everything had to come to an abrupt stop. It was one of the pupils who asked if the school could help him stay in touch with one of his grandfriends, who lived on her own - and a penpal connection was born. "It was wonderful," says Kirsty. Bringing a light into both the older and younger persons experience of lockdown, that the idea was developed further and DGS Penpals spread throughout S2 with staff facilitating the delivery and collection of letters. There is a waiting list of pupils wanting to engage in the intergenerational projects and others who have left the school now, still keep in touch and connect whenever they can. 

And that's not all! 

There have been shared outings, the growing / garden area has been part of the school and community partnership even longer and then pupils became partners in a new project developed over the pandemic, responding to needs highlighted in the community. "Digital Buddies" was developed with DGS through Dementia Friendly East Lothian and then Outside the Box. It now runs weekly in the community with Community Learning Development support, at Bleachingfield Community Centre. In 2022, Kirsty and co-lead Helen Harper, CLD Officer, joined the panel of "Bridging The Divide - promoting intergenerational digital inclusion" with GWT and SCVO which led to further events in January. View recording here. There has even been an intergenerational GWT training session in the school -  exploring "What is Intergenerational Work" - with pupils, staff, Rotarians and other volunteers for DGS forming the majority of the attendees. 

Dunbar Rotarians enjoy a very special connection with DGS - with other projects supported such as "The Peace Casuals" - mutually beneficial for those participating, but also benefitting community connection and cohesion. They are so impressed with the young folks and staff team at DGS, they presented them with an award (see below). 

Huge congratulations to all the Champions of Intergenerational Work at Dunbar Grammar Campus and in the community!