There is an increasing division between the younger and older generation in Singapore. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a lack of common interest for them to interact together. As Singapore also faces the issue of ageing population, the generation gap causes misconceptions and stereotypes between generations.
How can we help bridge this generational gap?
Gen-Closer aims to bridge the generational gap between the elderly and teenagers by providing courses such as culinary, painting and calligraphy where they can take up new skills together.
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Rewards, Volunteer Appreciation Statement, Happiness
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $5
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Having to the classes led by professionals is already a great incentive for individuals who are looking to learn such skills themselves. Monetary incentives will only drive the project away from its true goal of bridging the gap between generations as people may volunteer to be part of it solely for the incentives. Hence, making the program itself/ skills taught to be something “in trend” amongst teenagers like baking of cheesecakes or splash painting are great ways to pique the interest of both the elderly and teenage generations.
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Nothing, volunteer is a luxury that not all is willing to commit to
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
More than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Completing Community Service hours, Opportunity to be Mentored by the senior (esp if senior worked a job I am interested in)
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $5
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Rewards / Remuneration
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $5
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Tangible rewards such as vouchers or goodie bags. Also, if there are tangible crafts from the workshop that we can get to keep and bring home. (sewing clothes, pottery, woodwork)
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Usually prizes attracts people such as vouchers or gift cards.
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
convenient place and time and interesting activities to volunteer for.
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
If there was a goodie bag given.
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
More than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Nothing.
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
More than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Probably giveaways as well as interesting activities that cater to our interests
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $20
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
No
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Vouchers
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
$0
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
No
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Volunteer allowance (some organisations do that)
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $5
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
No
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Vouchers
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $5
In response to "Would you be willing to volunteer to help out at the activities?"
Yes
In response to "What would further incentivise you to participate/volunteer in our activities?"
Goodies! Or free lunch/dinner!
In response to "How much would you be willing to donate to our cause?"
Less than $5
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Can have more student lead events, Ask seniors what events they will be keen to participate. What events will students be keen to participate in ?
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
It’s a well-sought after goal to bridge the gap between the generations. However, not many may be as willing to take the first time and attend these activities, especially as this may be out of their comfort zone. Hence, instead of having the teenager & elder partnered up on a 1-1 basis, it may be more comfortable for teenagers to be in groups with their friends alongside the elderly friends too. This helps aids the bonding to be deeper as both sides will be comfortable to interact from the very beginning already!
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Great initiative to suggest this solution, I hope the solution will be implemented. I would propose 3 suggestions for the team to consider: 1. Youth/elderly initiated programmes Instead of organisation to decide on the programme, Youths or Elderly can volunteer the skills they want to share or impart to others. For example, Youths can volunteer to teach \"Digital Literacy for Elderly\". During the session, youths will pair up with elderly to teach them how to use Zoom, NTUC App and Grab. Another example is Elderly to teach \"Peranakan Culinary\" to the youths, elderly will pair up with the youths. 2. Incentive for Long term commitment by Youth Volunteers Provide the opportunity for youths to count their involvement into Volunteer Hours for their school purposes. 3. Mentorship Programme Allow Elderly and Youths to pair up if individuals are interested to mentor each other. Elderly have vast and valuable knowledge to share with the youths.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Can try conducting events that allows participants to attempt how things were done in the past and how things are done currently, so that they can better appreciate how things were like back then and in that given context.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Many of the elderly I know are wonderful craftsmen, from seamstresses to carpenters. Perhaps the elderly can be the ones conducting 1 on 1 teaching to the youths. This empowers them to make a difference in the next generation of Singapore. There are also existing initiatives like this. The team can speak and learn from such initiatives on how they conduct such workshops (eg; repair Kopitiam). Keep up the great work! :)
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Based on what was pitched, Some questions to consider: How can you ensure there is a good interaction between the participants? As teenagers and elderly may just hang out within their own generation. To clarify, I would assume that the partnering system would be in pairs whereby 1 elderly will pair with 1 teenager. Another suggestion is to find ways to attract people to join your course
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
It is very thoughtful initiative but will it be one-off. Coz it will be really great if you guys can make it sustainable as well. Maybe charge a very small fee for the course (material fees). Also you can invest in professionals to train volunteers to conduct the courses. And they can pass it down to other leading volunteers. So that you guys dont have to invest in people to take those courses
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Consider asking around through surveys to estimate sign-up rates to gauge whether the general public will support this project.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
I believe you guys can improve by doing surveys by the young and the elderly to find out what activities interest them the most. After which, you guys can then seive out the activities that has the highest common denominators to find the sweet spot in which both age groups could possibly enjoy to have the highest participation rate.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
We should start within the family (grandparents etc), even before jumping to know strangers? Unlikely the older generation is willing to know more the younger strangers. It could be awkward and less likely to actually form a solid bond.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Conduct courses, yes. But do remember to also focus on what you have instead of what you need!
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Maybe find a way to spread more awareness of your project/idea. It could be from radio/social media
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Personally I like activities that are crafty in nature which is why I would volunteer. I would prefer the team to define what is the interaction, what would they learn from each other through the activities? Are they given time to talk about their life experiences? How does it help to bridge that gap through these activities being conducted? It would be best to identify and state the \"how\" clearly as this is the most important part of the solution in regards to the problem statement.
