Intergenerational Volunteering - An Aged Friendly approach to volunteering in the community

Over the past nine months, Volunteer Kāpiti has been supporting the local Age Friendly Approach by working with community organisations to bring generations together through shared mahi aroha.

One powerful concept that guides this work is tuakana-teina—a relationship grounded in mutual support. Whether it’s an older volunteer sharing wisdom, or a younger person bringing fresh energy and skills, both benefit when learning flows both ways.

“Mā te tuakana ka tōtika te teina, mā te teina ka tōtika te tuakana.”
The older will lead the younger, and the younger will strengthen the older.

At Volunteer Kāpiti, we’re here to help bring intergenerational volunteering to life in your organisation. Here’s how we can support you:

• Need help with ideas? We can support you to plan an intergenerational project that fits your kaupapa.

• Need tools and templates? We have useful guides, example roles, and planning templates ready to go.

• Need volunteers? We can help promote your project and connect you with volunteers of all ages.

We're also sharing a few inspiring resources this month to help raise awareness and grow this mahi. You’ll find these at the below and on our website.

Intergenerational Volunteering Resources

Intergenerational Guide
A toolkit from Age-Friendly Belfast featuring principles, planning steps, and successful case studies for designing intergenerational projects. Includes strategies to foster empathy, tackle ageism, and build inclusive neighbourhoods.
https://www.makinglifebettertogether.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Intergenerational_toolkit_-_web1.pdf

Intergenerational Practice Evaluation Tool
Provides a framework to assess the effectiveness of intergenerational programmes. Focuses on relationship-building, reciprocity, and reducing ageism through shared learning experiences between generations.
https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2022/11/Intergenerational-Evaluation-Toolkit-2022-Update.pdf

Handbook on Intergenerational Volunteering
Offers practical advice, real-life examples, and reflections from intergenerational volunteers. It explores motivations, challenges and the personal and community benefits of intergenerational engagement.
https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2022/11/Intergenerational-Evaluation-Toolkit-2022-Update.pdf

Intergenerational Toolkit: Creating Aged-Advantaged Communities
Developed by Generations United, this toolkit includes planning tips and community assessment tools to support intentional, cross-generational connection. It promotes an asset-based approach to create stronger, more supportive communities.
https://www.gu.org/resources/creating-an-age-advantaged-community/

Youth-led Intergenerational Toolkit
This toolkit was created from the experiences of young people leading intergenerational projects in their communities as a resource for others who are interested in leading projects.
https://www.gu.org/resources/youth-led-intergenerational-toolkit/

World Health Organisation - Connecting Generations
WHO’s global guide on planning and implementing intergenerational contact to reduce ageism. It provides step-by-step guidance for designing safe, inclusive, and evidence-based activities that foster intergenerational solidarity and well-being.
https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/373056

This project is supported by the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Age Friendly Kāpiti Approach with the vision ‘Our older people feel cared for, connected and able to contribute now and into the future.’