Generations working together to celebrate 150 years of Mothers’ Union

One of the greatest strengths of Mothers’ Union is our ability to bring people together across generations and communities. A wonderful example of this can be found at St Mary’s CofE Primary School in Droylsden, Manchester, where the local MU branch partnered with the school’s Ethos Group to support people in their community. 

The project began as part of the celebrations marking both Mothers’ Union’s and St Mary’s School’s 150th anniversaries. Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate this shared milestone, MU members and pupils decided to work together on an initiative that would benefit their local community. 

The children had been exploring what it means to be ‘courageous advocates’, standing up for and supporting anyone considered vulnerable in society. Together with MU members, they created 150 hygiene care packs for patients arriving at Tameside Hospital who may have found themselves without essential personal items. 

The children played an active role throughout the project, raising funds through a raffle, designing thoughtful postcards to include in the care packs, and working alongside MU members to prepare the packages ready to be shared. Their messages of kindness and encouragement were a reminder to recipients that they were cared for and remembered by their wider community. 

Reflecting on the project, the group said: ‘As both Mothers’ Union and St Mary’s CofE Primary School celebrate our 150th anniversaries, we began to wonder how we might work together to serve our local community. This cross-generational project inspired us all and showed the power of different generations working side by side for the good of others. As a legacy of the partnership, St Mary’s Mothers’ Union has also sponsored an annual school award for Courageous Advocacy.’ 

For the Mothers’ Union members involved, the project was a joyful reminder of the importance of passing on values of compassion, service and faith to younger generations. For the children, it was an opportunity to see that even small acts of kindness can make a real difference. 

The project was a reminder of the value of bringing generations together. MU members shared their experience of serving the community, while the pupils brought energy, creativity and a strong sense of purpose.  

 

Have you got a story about intergenerational partnerships or projects in your local area? Share with us today at communications@mothersunion.org