5.0 Conclusions
Isolation is a common concern in urban and rural areas. Seniors and youth are particularly vulnerable populations groups, because of their experiences of isolation and disconnectedness in their communities.
Throughout the past few months, the sense of loss of choice that seniors feel as their health declines has been realised. Lack of funding, health related issues, financial and transportation barriers restrict seniors from being able to participate and be involved within their community. Seniors also have a lessening of choice due to the increased cost of living coupled with their lowered income levels. Youth have no place to gather with their friends and no way to get around in the area where they live. Municipal structures and formal institutions, in general, discourage the gathering of youth in public places through the enforcement of bylaws and failing to plan and develop public spaces for youth to gather. Transportation, lack of funding and quality marketing programs, community perception, and lack of knowledge among youth about programs catered to their population, are major barriers which increase their isolation within their community.
To date, the initiatives’ accomplishments include the accumulation of a comprehensive understanding of isolation and its role within the community. Had there have been more time and funding for this project, more rural community members would have been contacted. A few more soundings as well as interviews would be ideal to confirm the consistency of the information received. A community forum that invited key stake holders and participants was beneficial for the community. Extra effort and consideration was placed around making sure that youth and senior representation was present in this forum to make the discussions more successful. It gave seniors and youth as well as other participants a chance to clearly voice their opinion and concerns. They expressed pressing matters as well as reflected on the information obtained throughout the process of this research.
One of the main strengths that the Social Planning Council possesses is that its philosophy encourages strong leadership. This leadership is extended to include the community and its members. Therefore, during the process of this initiative the Social Planning Council made sure that members of the community in question were given adequate space and time to participate fully. This meant going beyond their participation in the kitchen table talks or interviews; and allowed them to feel as though they could be part of the project at a grander scale. A helpful group of dedicated individuals were present at the Planning Meetings that were held in order to help guide the Social Planning Council as to how to direct the upcoming workshop in terms of format, theme, schedule, etc.
The Planning Committee participants decided that the workshop should be focused on one of the issues/concerns that was expressed by youth and seniors in the initial research phase (during the processes of the interviews, kitchen table talks etc...) They also felt that the workshop would be more effective if the focus was placed on a common concern/issue that both youth and seniors had. A common barrier to inclusion within the community that both groups identified with was the negative stereotypes that youth and seniors have against each other. It was therefore decided by the Planning Committee that dispelling these negative stereotypes amongst youth and seniors would be the theme of the workshop.
The outcome from these Planning meetings was profound because the members truly had interest in the initiative and its goals. Having pre-existing individuals/organisations that had a passion/ experience in the project only made this group more effective and productive. The main strength was that the Planning Committee members worked one-on-one with the Social Planning Council to develop actions directly from ideas. There was a strong desire to make and take action. People felt comfortable enough to take charge of certain responsibilities and were willing to begin and complete many of the essential tasks that needed to be taken care of regarding the preparation for the workshop. Their keen and enthusiastic attitude extended to making them feel confident enough to take on leadership roles for the upcoming workshop as well. The most positive thing about those who were involved in the Planning Committee was that everyone exchanged ideas and took ownership of the upcoming workshop. They further developed actions directly from these ideas that facilitate actual events. These events and workshop were intended to provide education and awareness to hopefully create positive social change.
The most interesting thing learned from the workshop was that there was not as much distance between seniors and youth as was thought. The issues and concerns expressed by the seniors in the focus groups still remain true. However, once the seniors and youth paired up and spent the day together, the harmony and laughter spoke for itself. Mayor Doug Craig of the City of Cambridge was present at this workshop and was also impressed with the amount of positive interaction that took place. The success of the workshop in dispelling the myths and negative stereotypes about youth and seniors was tremendous. It is therefore hoped that types of action oriented events will take place throughout the community to create more positive change in perceptions and attitudes amongst youth and seniors about each other.
In terms of future events that will have resulted from this initiative, Cambridge Home Support has a few ideas to plan an event for this June taking consideration of the fact that it is Seniors Month. They are considering doing a follow up whereby the youth participants do a variety show for the senior participants. Another idea that this organization might follow up and create an event with is to share participant contact information so that those who want to can follow up directly with their buddies or others they met that day at the workshop (on February 26th). Youth in Ayr who are part of the Ayr Community Services organizations also has plans to plan an event with local seniors and participate in a game of “murder mystery.” It is felt that there needs to be some sort of follow up involving all of the participants so that seniors, youth, and the community service providers can build on the momentum and continue to "grow" from this "movement"
Above all, the community and government must work together to diminish the numerous barriers which exist in society for this vulnerable population. These barriers only increase the isolation many youth and seniors feel which hinders the positive and active role they can play in their community.