This week, I had the privilege of facilitating the “Time Together” Intergenerational Learning Programme, a special initiative held at Harmony Village, an activity center at Community Care Apartment in Bukit Batok. The idea was simple yet powerful: bringing seniors and youths together in the same space to learn from each other through guided games, storytelling, and shared experiences.
We used the “Come! Let’s Chat” reminiscence game to spark conversations and walked through a gallery that showcased scenes from both past and present. What unfolded was far more profound than I had expected.
Here’s what I walked away with:
1. Don’t compare life experiences.
One of the most important lessons I was reminded of during this session is that pain, growth, and challenges can’t be compared across generations. Too often, I hear people especially older folks say, “Youths have it easy these days.” But I disagree.
Sure, times are different. But that doesn’t make one more complicated than the other. What used to be a physical hardship has, in many ways, turned into emotional or mental stress. It’s not a competition. Everyone’s path is unique, and we do each other a disservice when we try to measure suffering or resilience with the same yardstick.
There’s still a lot of unlearning to do around this.
2. We’re more alike than we realise.
There was a moment when someone joked about watching black-and-white TV with the whole family crowded around and a youth immediately said, “That’s like Netflix and chill now.”
We all laughed, but it hit me: at the core, the need for connection, community, and comfort hasn’t changed. Only the form has. The entertainment looks different, and the tools are upgraded, but the feeling of being together, sharing joy, and having rituals is something both generations value deeply.
Same, same, but different.
3. It always comes back to love.
One of the most emotional moments came when we asked everyone to reflect on a person who had been a positive influence in their life. Many mentioned their mums. But not everyone had one.
One senior shared that he never knew their parents, having moved from home to home and was raised by a foster sister. As he spoke, tears began to well up in his eyes. The room fell silent. It was raw, vulnerable, and honest.
I held space for him and gently said, “Maybe the people around you now, these residents, your children, volunteers are versions of the love you thought you never had.”
He smiled. It was one of those moments that reminded me why this kind of work matters so deeply. People want to feel seen. Included. Loved. And sometimes, they need someone to help them realise that love exists in unexpected forms.
4. Empathy is the real outcome.
After the session, a few youths shared something beautiful: they felt more confident now about connecting with their grandparents or older people in general.
Why? Because they understood them better not just their stories, but their struggles, their humour, their humanity.
That’s what intergenerational learning does, it doesn’t just teach facts or history. It builds bridges. It turns curiosity into compassion and conversations into connection.
Final thoughts
This wasn’t just an afternoon of chit-chat. It was a space for reflection, healing, and mutual respect. We laughed, we teared up, we connected.
In a world that often feels divided by age, values, or pace — this was a reminder that with a bit of intention and a lot of listening, we can find common ground. And maybe even love in places we didn’t expect.
Let’s continue to create more of these spaces. Because the more we listen, the more we learn, not just about each other, but about ourselves.
If you are interested in volunteering or partnering with us to bring this programme to your activity centre/AAC, email brendan.seah@sgassist.com
This article was written by Brendan Seah and originally posted on LinkedIn on May 29, 2025.
