Full-Scale Operation of Nowon’s “5070 Talent Donation Group” Begins in May
Meeting Seniors’ Needs with Programs Ranging from Smartphone Usage to Silver Cognitive Art and Health Exercises
Nowon-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it is operating the "5070 Talent Donation Group," a program that utilizes the skills of retired middle-aged individuals to enhance the quality of life for seniors.
The "5070 Talent Donation Group" recruits retirees in their 50s to 70s who either hold certifications or have experience in relevant fields, and provides a variety of programs for seniors, including smartphone usage, silver cognitive art, crafts, and health exercises. Through this initiative, talent donors gain opportunities for social participation, while beneficiaries enjoy the advantages of leisure and welfare activities.
Launched in 2020 with 20 instructors, the "5070 Talent Donation Group" now has about 30 instructors who are actively engaged. Programs are developed based on a preliminary needs assessment to reflect the interests and requirements of seniors, resulting in a high level of participant satisfaction.
Last year, 30 members of the talent donation group contributed a total of 2,329 hours of activities. The most popular program among seniors was "Silver Exercise and Stretching," a health management program, which accounted for 1,107 hours. "Smartphone Usage," which many seniors find challenging but highly beneficial in daily life, totaled 735 hours, while cultural and arts fields such as cognitive art and singing classes amounted to 487 hours, demonstrating a wide range of offerings.
This year, after completing a needs assessment in April, the program will be fully operated from May through October. Instructors will offer lectures in various fields, including smartphone usage, cognitive art, crafts, and health exercises. Customized on-site programs tailored to the needs of each senior center will be conducted over a six-month period.
A senior who participated in the program expressed satisfaction, saying, "Learning from an instructor of a similar age made me feel comfortable, and the explanations were easy to understand. I plan to actively participate in the 5070 Talent Donation Group programs in the future."
Another senior who served as a talent donor shared, "I am happy that my skills can be helpful to someone else's life. I want to continue participating in these activities."
The district is also operating a YouTube channel exclusively for seniors called "100-Year-Old Youth," which covers various topics such as health, leisure, and welfare. For seniors who are not familiar with digital environments, the district provides on-site guidance at senior centers on how to access the channel. In addition, the district is promoting policy accessibility through initiatives such as the "Mobile District News Messenger" and the "Senior Call Center."
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, stated, "This is a great example of sharing and communication among seniors bringing vitality to each other. We will continue to expand a variety of programs that allow seniors to feel a sense of fulfillment and energy."
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