At Hello Poppy, we believe that supporting older people isn’t only about caring for them, it’s also about recognising the remarkable role they continue to play in our community.
Across South Africa, countless grandparents and older caregivers are raising children every day. These elders are often the steady hands and loving hearts guiding the next generation.
That’s why Hello Poppy was delighted to partner with the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust to facilitate a #RaisingKids workshop for facilitators, trainers and community members who support these intergenerational families.
Facilitated by Dr. Paul Bushell and Jane Linley-Thomas, the workshop was built on practical tools and activities from the book #RaisingKids. Rather than focusing on theory alone, participants explored simple and engaging ways to help children and adults work together in growing their emotional well-being and emotional intelligence.
The morning was filled with conversation, reflection, laughter and hands-on activities as participants experienced many of the exercises for themselves before considering how they could use them within their own programmes and communities.
One of the greatest joys of the day was seeing participants leave not only with fresh ideas and renewed confidence, but also with their own copies of #RaisingKids, a practical resource that they can continue to use long after the workshop has ended.
Sometimes the most powerful way to change a person’s future is to empower the people who walk alongside them.