Benefits and Impact

Philosophy and Approach

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Benefits and Impact

We know that Magic Me benefits the participants and their communities but don’t take our word for it, here’s what they say.

Magic Me projects are fun, creative and educational, with a positive, lasting impact on participants

"Coming here has really helped me. It's made me so much more confident. I was talking to Simon Hughes (the MP) yesterday in Watney Market, and telling him off, saying, "Listen to me, really listen!" I thought 'God bless Magic Me'."

Older woman participant

"The work our students achieve with Magic Me is an enrichment in so many ways; artistically, creatively, socially and in the field of human relationships. The bond our young people form with the other women is a crucial experience in breaking stereotyped patterns of seeing older people and especially those from a different culture or background. "

Jill Tuffee, Deputy Headteacher

"We have noticed extra-ordinary raised levels of motivation and engagement with the curriculum once students have taken part in Magic Me. "

Deputy Headteacher Mulberry School for Girls

Magic Me projects raise awareness about the needs of older people and helps combat isolation

"Before you came we were nobody. Now we are somebody. "

Care home resident

"I never knew that older people had aspirations!"

Secondary school student

"Residents looked forward to the sessions asking, 'When are the children coming?' The children brought a lot of energy into the home, it lifted the residents' spirits and gave them something to talk about... something else going in on their lives. "

Activities Organiser, nursing home

"Can I? I Can! What did the project title mean to me? Now I know when the pain is bad, and I seem not to be able to do anything I say Can I? I Can! "

Older participant

"I love company of old or young, gives me a chance to use my tongue."

Older participant

Magic Me projects bring together people from diverse sections of the community

"I must say that in my heart, because of the culture, I thought we might not get on, but we have. "

Older white participant working with Muslim young women

"All different cultures, young, old; we all got on lovely together. I would have liked it to go on for ever."

Day Centre user

"I never knew any of the children in my block, but now when you see them they recognise you and smile and say' hello', and so do their Mums. "

Older participant, Ocean Estate

"I feel like I can talk to older people and understand what they're going through now. Before I thought that they were just people that didn't have much. But now I can really sit and talk to them and understand where they're coming from. "

Secondary school student

Magic Me projects address prejudices about ageing, young people and cultural differences

"Mary likes Kentucky Fried Chicken. I didn't know older people went to KFC. "

School students "

"We just didn't know Asian girls before, and now we know what you're like. "

Older participant

"Being part of a group like this opens up your mind to different ideas and opportunities for learning. I like the difference of opinions and looking at things in different ways- it all contributes to a better understanding. "

Older Member, Media Group

"Before I used to think the way I act, the way my brain works, that older people won't commit to it, but after I done this it looks like the older people do commit to what children actually do and how their mind works. We got to know how their mind works. We got to know how they feel and they got to know how we feel "

Young participant

"Age need not be a Barrier to discovering more about ourselves and others "

Older participant

Magic Me projects involve participants in the planning and development of activities

"I liked the lady that takes it, she gets everybody included, and we learned a lot from each other, which is a great thing."

Older man with dementia, living in a hospital

" The students are opening up a lot more now. Still some shy ones but given time and encouragement they will I'm sure see their full potential. Still enjoying the sessions and the talk and discussions when the students have gone home. Learning more about what makes the youngsters think - very enlightening! "

Older adult's project diary

" Trust and encourage each other. Respect other people’s ideas. Co-operate and work together. Learn from each other’s experience. "

Intergenerational group’s Top Tips for future Magic Me participants

"Great to see so much positive and warm communication with different generations and wonderful ideas and creativity. "

Audience member

"The practitioners are some of the most skilled I have ever worked with in twenty five years of teaching. "

Deputy Headteacher

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