ABBA karaoke sings true for intergenerational connection

Belting out ABBA’s Dancing Queen on karaoke has brought Juniper Korumup residents and students from North Albany High School together, with both generations singing the words by heart as one of a range of intergenerational activities at the home.

The Year 12 students came through as part of their Children, Family and Community studies, running painting sessions, karaoke, gardening and joining conversations with residents, giving opportunity to connect with younger people from their own community.

Relief Residential Manager Kapsy Mante said visits like this give residents something to look forward to.

“Different activities always put a smile on our residents’ faces,” she said.

Kapsy said residents were excited to interact with the students from the moment they knew the visit was happening.

Teacher Sam Sheridan, speaking to the Department of Education in the article Kindness never gets old said the Carer’s Pack project was designed to create connections between generations while encouraging empathy and kindness among students.

“We wanted the residents to feel some joy, enjoy working creatively with a young person and have conversations with people outside of their normal circle.”

The karaoke session was a highlight of the day. Student Bonnie told the Department of Education, the singalong to ABBA’s Dancing Queen was a standout moment.

“Everyone joined in for the chorus and sang together without even looking at the lyrics,” she said. “It was really sweet.”

Days later, residents were still sharing their excitement with staff. “They are already looking forward to the next one,” Kapsy said.

The visit is part of a focus on intergenerational connection across Juniper’s sites, with many residential homes partnering with outside organisations to bring these programs to their residents.

Kapsy said she would encourage any school or community group thinking about doing something similar to get involved.

“It is such an enriching program for both our residents and the groups that come in,” she said.

“The sheer joy that such programs bring to our residents cannot be measured, and some of our residents remember the interactions for a long time.”