Intergenerational Skill-Sharing and Cultural Exchange Cross-Culture Hub CIC runs intergenerational skill-sharing projects to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together through learning and creativity.
In partnership with Southampton University, older members of our community learned digital skills while university students learned a traditional Punjabi song, which they performed at a university event celebrating music and culture. This collaboration highlighted the power of cross-cultural learning, with participants sharing songs in Punjabi, English, Chinese and Māori, creating a vibrant and joyful experience. We will continue this partnership with the University of Southampton to equip our members with the digital skills and to help students understand and learn values in different cultures.
Our projects also connect children with our sewing group, where they learn practical skills such as sewing buttons, making pockets and knitting winter hats, while sharing their own talents in arts and crafts. These activities foster confidence, creativity and friendships across generations and cultures, helping participants feel included and part of the wider community.
We are proud to have the support of the Children’s Mayor of Southampton and Local Leaders for our Intergenerational Skill-Sharing and Cultural Exchange activities. We will continue to provide these opportunities for the people of all ages to build confidence and meaningful connections.
Cross-Culture Hub CIC runs intergenerational skill-sharing projects to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together through learning and creativity.
In partnership with Southampton University, older members of our community learned digital skills while university students learned a traditional Punjabi song, which they performed at a university event celebrating music and culture. This collaboration highlighted the power of cross-cultural learning, with participants sharing songs in Punjabi, English, Chinese and Māori, creating a vibrant and joyful experience. We will continue this partnership with the University of Southampton to equip our members with the digital skills and to help students understand and learn values in different cultures.
Our projects also connect children with our sewing group, where they learn practical skills such as sewing buttons, making pockets and knitting winter hats, while sharing their own talents in arts and crafts. These activities foster confidence, creativity and friendships across generations and cultures, helping participants feel included and part of the wider community.
We are proud to have the support of the Children’s Mayor of Southampton and Local Leaders for our Intergenerational Skill-Sharing and Cultural Exchange activities. We will continue to provide these opportunities for the people of all ages to build confidence and meaningful connections.
Intergenerational Skill-Sharing and Cultural Exchange
At Cross-Culture Hub, we were honoured to be selected by the Children’s Mayor of Southampton, Zeyno Arabaci, to take part in a Skill Swap Session at Highfield Church of England Primary School on Thursday, 23 October 2025.
Intergenerational skill sharing is at the heart of Cross-Culture Hub, and this event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with children through creativity and learning. Our sewing group shared practical skills, including sewing a button, sewing a pocket onto an apron using a sewing machine, and making winter hats with a circular knitting machine.
We also learned from the children, who proudly shared their own talents through activities such as making beaded wristbands, origami, drawing, and arts and crafts.
We would like to extend our special thanks to Sarah Jane Slark, Inclusion, Diversity and Participation Lead at Southampton City Council, for her dedication and support, along with her colleagues.
We are also deeply grateful to The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor James Baillie, for taking a special interest in the project and for joining us in person throughout the session.