YOPEY Wins Third Place in Zurich’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024
12/10/2024
At Zurich, we value diversity and inclusion. Along with the Z Zurich Foundation, we are happy to announce the winners of the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Awards. These awards honour projects that promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity in our communities. This year, third place goes to ‘YOPEY’ for their great work connecting school children with elderly people in care homes, especially those with dementia.
About the Awards
The Zurich D&I Awards highlight and reward projects that make a big difference in promoting inclusivity and creating value within communities. We judge based on innovation, impact, ease of implementation and scalability, sustainability, and value creation. This year, we received over 300 entries from various organizations, each showing great efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. The competition was tough, and we are proud to see so much dedication to these important causes.
The Third Place Winner: YOPEY
We are excited to recognize ‘YOPEY’ for their outstanding work in connecting school children with elderly people in care homes. This wonderful project helps reduce loneliness among the elderly and promotes understanding between generations.
YOPEY
YOPEY focuses on creating meaningful interactions between young people and older adults, especially those living with dementia. Through regular visits and activities, school children spend time with elderly residents in care homes, offering companionship and support. Dementia is a major issue in the UK, affecting over 900,000 people, and this number is expected to double in the next 20 years. These individuals often feel lonely, and YOPEY’s approach provides them with much-needed companionship.
Impact and Success
YOPEY has made a big impact on both the young participants and the elderly residents. The project helps reduce loneliness among the elderly and teaches children empathy and understanding. These intergenerational connections create a sense of community and shared purpose. For example, Mark Smith, a YOPEY volunteer, shared his experience of biking three miles every week to visit his elderly friend Janet, even after the school bus service stopped running. This dedication shows the strong bonds formed through the project.
Scaling Up and Future Plans
YOPEY plans to expand by partnering with more schools and care homes. They aim to connect even more young people and elderly individuals, spreading the benefits of intergenerational relationships far and wide. The project’s founder has developed best practices over time, and formalising and sharing these methods could encourage others to follow YOPEY’s successful model.
Endorsements and Testimonials
YOPEY has received strong praise from participants, families, and care home staff. Many elderly residents have shared how much they look forward to the visits from the children, and how it brightens their day. The young participants also gain valuable life skills and a deeper appreciation for the elderly. For instance, Isobel Pierce, another YOPEY volunteer, emphasized how the intergenerational lines have blurred, and she now sees her visits as spending time with a friend, rather than just visiting an elderly person.
Comments from the Judging Panel
The judging panel was very impressed by YOPEY. Judge Anne Constant remarked, “The intergenerational aspect of YOPEY is fantastic, and it can be replicated widely. This project shows how connecting different generations can create powerful and positive changes in our communities.” She also highlighted the importance of teaching young people skills to deal with dementia, which may affect their families or friends in the future.
YOPEY is a great example of how intergenerational connections can make a big difference in reducing loneliness and promoting understanding. By bringing school children and elderly individuals together, YOPEY creates lasting positive impacts on both groups. The Zurich Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024 celebrate this great achievement, showing the power of inclusive projects to create lasting positive change.
Find out more about YOPEY
For more information about YOPEY, visit their website, and connect with them on FaceBook.
Find out more about the other winners
We also want to highlight the incredible work of our runners up:
- Winner - Spark Inside: This year’s overall winner is ‘Spark Inside’, recognised for their innovative programme, The Black Hero’s Journey (BHJ). This innovative programme supports young Black and Mixed Heritage men in prison, providing a safe and empowering space for them to express themselves and reclaim their identities.
- 2nd Place - The Birth Partner Project: This project offers vital support to vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers, ensuring they have a trusted companion during childbirth and the early stages of motherhood.
