Issue nr. 21 - 15/02/2021

Our headline news is about the updated, expanded and now university-accredited TOY Online Course. In this newsletter you will also read about the just published impact evaluation of TOY for Inclusion project: TOY to Share, Play to Care. 

As Europe is just passing the peak of the third wave of the COVID pandemic and vaccination roll-out has begun, we continue to share inspirational practices which are connecting generations in a pandemic world via our international blog series.

This edition of the newsletter also has information about two upcoming conferences about intergenerational practice.

Latest News

New university accredited TOY Online Course

We have an exciting news about the Together Old and Young: An Intergenerational Approach (TOY) Online Course!

Beginning September 2021, we will offer the TOY Online Course in two ways: a free 2-module introductory ‘mini’ course for those looking to get a taste of what IGL is about, and a new expanded and university accredited 8-module programme called: Together Old and Young: Innovative & Digital approaches to Intergenerational Learning and Practice. The 8-module accredited course will include live forum sessions with guests, lots of new content and tutoring.

On successful completion of the 8-module programme, learners will be awarded a Hellenic Open University Certificate of Further Education in Intergenerational Practice with 5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

We are glad to be able to offer this great opportunity to university students and professionals, who will now be able to have their participation officially recognized.

The 2-module ‘mini’ TOY Online Course will take place in September 2021

The 8-module TOY Online programme will take place in October and November 2021

Registration for both will open 6 July 2021.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

Publications

TOY for Inclusion Impact Evaluation just published

The Impact Evaluation and Policy Recommendations of TOY for Inclusion has just been published.

Between 2017-2020, 16 Play Hubs opened in 8 EU countries, reaching more than 10,000 children, 5,000 parents and grandparents and 1000 practitioners. The Play Hubs provided play activities for young children, intergenerational encounters, and safe and welcoming space for whole communities. 

One of the findings of the Evaluation, is that the TOY for Inclusion approach to community-based education makes an impact by combining a shared framework of goals and values with the flexibility of local adaptation for diverse contexts.

Click here for the summary

TOY for Inclusion is coordinated by ICDI and funded by Erasmus+ Programme and Open Society Foundations (OSF).
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TOY Blog

Europe is just past the peak of the third wave of the COVID pandemic. Luckily, there are many very committed early years and care professionals working tirelessly to connect generations in creative and imaginative ways during this the third Lockdown.

Read Eilish Balfe’s blog about how Happy Days Early Years’ Service in Ireland has been maintaining intergenerational relationships in the village community of Ratoath, in Ireland over the past year.

Another blog about intergenerational theatre during COVID in Italy will be published soon on the TOY website.

Upcoming Events

National Intergenerational Conference, UK, 8 – 12 March 2021

Generations Working Together is hosting its annual Conference online, over three days from the 8th - 12th March 2021.  This year, they will host six Zoom webinars covering topics including: housing, ageism, faith communities, food, research and innovation, each lasting one and a half hours. 

Click here to register for the Conference.

For more information about other events happening during the National Intergenerational Week in the UK, click here. 

Generations United Virtual Conference, 15-17 June 2021

Now in its 21st year, Generations United’s Biennial Global Intergenerational Conference will be very different in 2021. The conference will be held virtually but will still convene intergenerational professionals, educators, caregivers, advocates, and enthusiasts from around the world to learn, connect, and share innovative practices and programs in the intergenerational field. Presentations will be on three focus areas: Intergenerational Engagement; Grandfamilies, Kinship Care, and Multigenerational Families, and Intergenerational Shared Sites.

Click here to register for Conference. 

Contacts

On the TOY website we commit to provide current and ground-making news, research and developments about the world of intergenerational learning involving young children and older adults. If you have a news item you would like to share with us, please contact us at: 

International Child Development Initatives- ICDI

Margaret Kernan and Giulia Cortellesi

info@toyproject.net 

www.toyproject.net 

Together Old and Young builds all-ages-friendly communities