A heartwarming initiative, led by Northamptonshire charity The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation (TMDF), is bringing generations together through the power of storytelling.  The Intergenerational Stories Programme, developed and delivered by TMDF, pairs students with older adults in a project designed to preserve personal histories and foster meaningful human connection. 

The scheme invites secondary school students to engage with older people supported by TMDF’s services, listening to their life stories and writing them up for a special public exhibition.  Over the course of two sessions, students are encouraged to conduct respectful interviews, gathering memories that span from childhood and education to careers, relationships, and life lessons. 

“It’s about capturing the richness of people’s lives,” said Teresa McCarthy-Dixon, the charity’s Founder & Operations Manager, (Teresa).  “Many of the older individuals we work with have incredible stories to tell, but often very few opportunities to share them.  We didn’t want their fantastic histories to be lost to time, and this programme ensures they’re  not only heard, but honoured.” 

Participants begin by visiting TMDF’s premises, where they are introduced to their assigned partner and guided through a structured yet flexible interview process.  Using a set of suggested questions as a starting point, students explore their partner’s personal history, uncovering everything from favourite school subjects and first jobs to cherished travel memories and reflections on life’s challenges and triumphs. 

Students from Northamptonshire International Academy have been visiting TMDF’s premises this week to meet with their clients.

Following their interviews, the students will write short biographical stories, typically 300 to 700 words in length.  These are reviewed in a follow-up session, giving each older participant the chance to see and respond to their story before it is finalised. 

The project will culminate with a professionally curated exhibition, hosted by TMDF, where each student’s work will be displayed on an individual storyboard, complete with their own photograph and images representing key moments from their partner’s life. Families, teachers, peers, and the wider community will all be invited to attend. In addition to the physical exhibition, every story in this project will be featured in an online archive on TMDF’s website, providing a lasting digital legacy for families, schools, and the community. 

The programme reflects TMDF’s wider mission to strengthen community connection, tackle loneliness, and create opportunities for engagement across all ages, values that align closely with the Chamber of Commerce’s support for socially impactful local initiatives. 

“This project gives people in our community who might otherwise feel invisible a chance to feel recognised, and have their voices heard.” said Teresa. “It’s also letting local young people to develop their confidence, creativity and communication skills, and connect with the older generation in ways they might not usually.” 

The Intergenerational Stories Programme is an inspiring example of how a grassroots charity like TMDF can lead creative projects that unite people and enrich the social fabric of Northamptonshire.