The InterGen Project was one of the first trials to develop a community-based approach to intergenerational social connection between older adults and teens in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR) of Victoria. 

A framework for intergenerational social connection was developed focusing on three elements in the healthy social connection model: people, places, and activities. The research explored how communities could facilitate healthy social connection between teens and older adults by managing these three elements. The project team partnered with five councils in the eastern metropolitan region of Victoria to co-develop and facilitate five context-specific intergenerational social connection programs. 

The authors used participant observation, video interviews, and surveys to explore whether community-based approaches would contribute to successful, sustainable, and/or scalable intergenerational social connection programs. 

Findings

•  Community-led approaches were successful in the development and facilitation of intergenerational social connections between teens and older adults. 
• The three elements of healthy social connection each produced specific opportunities and challenges to development and maintenance of intergenerational social connection. 
• Leveraging community connectors was a successful way to build sustainable and scalable intergenerational connection but required significant investment in connectors over long periods of time.