Timeless friendship: students and seniors connect in a Repair & Share café

What happens when students and seniors really meet? In De Rits, different generations learn from each other and inspire each other. Through a short chat, via activities or other inspiring moments. Welcome to De Rits!

In short
De Rits physically brings students and seniors together at Artevelde University College. By creating, chatting and sharing together, warm encounters arise. This project stimulates meaningful, intergenerational contact and promotes well-being and connectedness in both groups.

The need and relevance
Both young people and seniors struggle with social isolation and loneliness. Yet interaction between generations often remains limited. This project breaks through that gap and offers a place where both generations meet each other in a natural way. Working together on small repairs or creative projects creates space for sincere conversations and sustainable relationships.

From approach to impact
In De Rits, students and seniors work together on concrete activities. The effect on well-being and connectedness is evaluated through observations, conversations and experiences. The project is strongly focused on intrinsic motivation of people according to the ABC model, where autonomy, involvement and competences are paramount. The impact? More mutual understanding, less loneliness, and the start of timeless friendships.