Intergenerational mingling at Easter

Residents at Ocean Shores retirement village in Mount Maunganui have welcomed flight attending students from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology with open arms – and the students love the intergenerational contact. 

The relationship is in its fifth year, providing students an opportunity to mingle and serve meals to an older generation during their special celebrations. 

Betty Ormsby, Programme Coordinator, for the NZ Certificate in Aviation (Flight Attending) says the students have been going to Ocean Shores when there’s a special occasion, to serve meals and refine the skills they are learning on the programme.

“We try and look for ways for the students to be involved in the community and get some real-life experience at the same time,” said Betty. “The retirees at Ocean Shores are perfect because they are welcoming and gracious. They know the students are learning and they are always encouraging and complimentary.”

Pat Manktelow, Chair of the Entertainment Committee at Ocean Shores, says the residents enjoy the students coming and appreciate the chance to be able to assist them with their learning.

“It’s valuable for the students to be involved with the older generation,” said Pat. “It helps them to appreciate another side of life. On the other hand, the residents love them coming to assist at events so both groups get something out of it. The students are always very friendly and polite. They are happy to join in, even dancing with the residents at our Easter dinner event.”

“The students do enjoy these experiences,” says Betty. “At the end of each evening that would have gained their own sense of gratitude for having participated."