Laois retirees learn from next generation from students in Carlow

Older Laois people and third-level students in Carlow shared a positive intergenerational collaboration between local communities and academic institutions recently.

Members of the Portlaoise Active Retirement Group visited South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow to attend a specially organised volunteer workshop.

The event was hosted by Portlaoise resident Dr Pauline Flanagan who is a public relations lecturer at SETU. It aimed to help Active Retirement members to navigate the world of social and digital media, with students from Year 3 of the PR & Media BA (Hons) degree providing invaluable assistance.

The workshop allowed the visitors to engage with students, who helped them with a variety of social media and digital communication queries, empowering them to use modern tools more effectively for both personal and community purposes.
Brid Cullen, Secretary of the Portlaoise Active Retirement Group, expressed her gratitude for the event. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

"We’ve had the most enjoyable day at SETU in Carlow. The students were unbelievably helpful, not only answering our questions but making everything so clear and easy to understand. It was such a valuable experience for us, and we feel more confident about using digital tools in our daily lives. We are very thankful to Dr Flanagan and the students for their time and support," she said.

Dr Flanagan, who organised the workshop, praised the collaboration between students and the Active Retirement Group.

"It’s been a pleasure to see our students work so closely with such an engaged and enthusiastic group. They were able to share their knowledge and gain practical experience in a real-world setting, which is invaluable for their development. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

"The workshop was a great success, and we look forward to further opportunities for our students to support community initiatives like this one," she said.

Dr Flanagan added that the event highlighted the power of intergenerational learning and the positive impact of collaboration between local communities and academic institutions. She said it also emphasised the importance of digital literacy and how it can enhance the lives of older adults.

The visitors concluded their day at SETU with lunch and a tour of the TV and radio studios in the University's Carlow campus.
The Portlaoise Active Retirement Group is a vibrant and welcoming community for older adults, offering a variety of social, educational, and volunteering opportunities. The group aims to promote health, well-being, and lifelong learning among its members.

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SETU offers a wide range of degree programs across various disciplines. SETU is committed to fostering a collaborative environment that benefits both students and the local community.