I Wish I'd Asked

Conversations Connect Communities

Bringing Generations Together

Introducing I Wish I'd Asked Melbourne

I Wish I'd Asked Melbourne stimulates intergenerational connections between young people (APPRENTICES) and seniors (SILVER WARRIORS), with the aim of easing loneliness and depression through conversation, skill sharing activities and the exchange of life experiences.

Who We Are

Fostering Intergenerational Connections

 

On a Port Melbourne street in 2018, friends Eva Gruen and Danny Finley, were chatting about the mysteries of growing older and the wisdom this process bestows upon us. The conversation turned to their respective parents and the deeper questions about their lives.

What People Say

Hear What Our Participants Have to Say

I Wish I'd Asked have had the opportunity to work with a number of community groups and organisations throughout our programmes. Many of which have kindly written to us about their experiences and how they feel the activities have benefited the various members of the generations.

Bob Wilkie

It has been a pleasure working with you Danny, Eva and David on this I Wish I'd Asked and we all took something out of it.

Bob Wilkie, President, Shepparton RSL

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-19T11:15:53+00:00

Bob Wilkie, President, Shepparton RSL

It has been a pleasure working with you Danny, Eva and David on this I Wish I'd Asked and we all took something out of it.

Lynda Bruce

Thank you for the opportunity to be involved and to work with you both – it has been truly inspiring and rejuvenating. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been involved and I am very glad I asked as well.

Lynda Bruce, McGuire College Careers

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-19T11:21:06+00:00

Lynda Bruce, McGuire College Careers

Thank you for the opportunity to be involved and to work with you both – it has been truly inspiring and rejuvenating. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been involved and I am very glad I asked as well.
Testimonials - Jo Breen

Jo Breen

You should be very proud of your achievements with this pilot and what it has brought to the many students and residents over that time – to know you have enriched the lives of these people must be very heart warming.

Jo Breen, Shepparton Villages

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-20T02:10:37+00:00

Jo Breen, Shepparton Villages

Testimonials - Jo Breen
You should be very proud of your achievements with this pilot and what it has brought to the many students and residents over that time – to know you have enriched the lives of these people must be very heart warming.

Xavier Tanner

We have certainly been the beneficiaries of your work and your presence. And how the students have loved it.

Xavier Tanner, Deputy Principal, Wanganui Park Secondary College

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-20T02:57:08+00:00

Xavier Tanner, Deputy Principal, Wanganui Park Secondary College

We have certainly been the beneficiaries of your work and your presence. And how the students have loved it.
Testimonials - Jo Breen

Kerri Rivett

You both made such a difference to the residents of Shepparton Villages which we sincerely appreciate and will treasure for many years to come.

Kerri Rivett, CEO, Shepparton Villages

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-20T03:00:27+00:00

Kerri Rivett, CEO, Shepparton Villages

Testimonials - Jo Breen
You both made such a difference to the residents of Shepparton Villages which we sincerely appreciate and will treasure for many years to come.

John Lewis

It was a pleasure to cover such an inspired project.

John Lewis, Shepparton News

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-20T03:03:28+00:00

John Lewis, Shepparton News

It was a pleasure to cover such an inspired project.
Testimonials - Jo Breen

Jo Breen

I know for a fact, young people like Jake and others, are better placed for a meaningful future as a result of IWIA. Kindness is such a powerful thing and you have both given that in spades.

Jo Breen, Shepparton Villages

I Wish I'd Asked
5
2020-03-20T11:20:58+00:00

Jo Breen, Shepparton Villages

Testimonials - Jo Breen
I know for a fact, young people like Jake and others, are better placed for a meaningful future as a result of IWIA. Kindness is such a powerful thing and you have both given that in spades.
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I Wish I'd Asked

What We Do

Find out about our activities

I Wish I'd Asked have developed an innovative programme to tackle the issue of loneliness in our communities. Our activities are designed to foster intergenerational connectedness, bring back the art of conversation for our young people and allow our older generations to share their wisdom and experience.

Intergenerational Conversations Programme

Intergenerational Conversations

We have found this activity to be one of our favourites because it demonstrates the basic core of the I Wish I'd Asked concept – intergenerational conversations.

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Dancing with Warrior Programme

Dancing with Warriors

Bunions. Sore feet. Stiff joints and even a walking frame, did not put Choreographer, Kyla McGregor, off welcoming the Silver Warriors to her dance class.

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Gardening Programme

Gardening

Apprentices enjoy the process of preparing the ground, selecting and planting and on occasion, sell the produce at fetes to raise funds for local aged care facilities.

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Karaoke Programme

Karaoke

Music is the universal language – international and intergenerational – and with the Silver Warriors and the Apprentices singing along together, there are no borders.

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Knitting and Craft

Knitting and Craft

A proven way for friends to meet and interact. Our knitting and craft sessions are the best example of how friendships are made. Silver Warriors sharing skills and showing care towards Apprentices.

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Stories for Life Philosophy Programme

Stories for Life – Philosophy

Silver Warriors, Robert McClean and Greg Barnes, host Philosophy sessions and the subjects are many and varied. Participants explore getting to know themselves and each other.

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Internet Cafe Programme

Wanganet Cafe

For the young, phone and computer technology is a part of every day life. So who better to answer the questions of the Silver Warriors, on the many technical challenges of the new Digital Age, than our Apprentices.

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Expression of Interest

To enquire about any of our programmes, simply fill out our Expressions of Interest form and we will contact you to discuss your enquiry with you.

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I Wish I'd Asked Melbourne

Join The Conversation!

To find out more about our intergenerational programmes, to become a sponsor or to volunteer your services call us on 0403 391 538 or send us an email to conversations@iwishidasked.com.au. We have activities that offer intergenerational programmes for schools and intergenerational programmes for aged care in communities throughout Victoria.