Home > All articles £5.5 million to help close the widening generation gap - UK The Government is today launching a £5.5 million programme to bring older and younger generations together in their communities. The pot of money will fund 12 intergenerational projects across the country where young and older people can engage with each other on equal terms, break down barriers and challenge negative stereotypes. We know that different generations are spending less time together due to changing family patterns and living arrangements – in a survey of 3,500 people last year respondents raised concerns about a “growing gulf between the old and the young, and the negative attitudes this can encourage between generations”. And in our Time to Talk consultation we heard that people want more activities to unite the community and more places where people of all ages and races can meet. That is why we are calling on local authorities, in partnership with their local voluntary organisations, to apply for the funding to develop intergenerational projects across the country. Increasing intergenerational activity will help society and individuals in a number of ways, by: • Providing young people with positive role models who will encourage, support and advise them; • Improving the negative perception of young people, by giving older people the opportunity to see that the vast majority of young people are law-abiding, respectful and talented individuals; • Giving older people the chance to keep their minds and bodies active and therefore improve their general health and well-being; • Increasing community cohesion by helping people of different ages and backgrounds better understand each other, appreciate their similarities, respect their differences and feel part of the same community; • Increasing the opportunities and making it easier for all people to get involved in volunteering projects in their communities; • Supporting some of the most vulnerable young and older people in society by giving them the opportunity to experience new activities, improve their confidence and increase the support they may not get at home; Speaking at an intergenerational project at a community radio station in Manchester, Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children and Young People said: “ALL FM is a great example of some of the innovative practices already going on around the country that are bringing older and younger people together. “The projects give older people the chance to see that young people are good, decent and law-abiding, and not the “hoodies” and “yobs” that many people see them as. Projects like these also show that young and older people often have the same concerns about the communities they live in, like the environment and anti-social behaviour. “Today’s young people are ten times more likely than previous generations to volunteer and it’s crucial that we nurture the support that young people can give to older people. At the same time many older people can relate to young people because they’ve got a rich and varied experience of life, and have a lot more in common than they realise. That is why we want more local authorities to set up projects that bring the different generations together to improve communities.“ We have known for some time that we have an ageing society, but the generation gap is now widening because in 2008 for the first time there were more people over the age of 65 than the number of people under 16. This means we have to be more innovative in helping the older and younger generations find their common ground. Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services, said: "Getting people of different generations together is a good experience for both. By getting involved in these groups, older people can stay active, make new friends and improve their general wellbeing. Younger people get the benefit of years of experience and positive role models to turn to if needed. I look forward to helping people of all ages build stronger communities." Rosie Winterton, Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society, speaking at the intergenerational 'Here to Stay' project in Leeds, said: "Our ageing population will change our society in many ways, but presents many opportunities. The history, memories and experiences of older people are, and should be, greatly valued by younger people and society more widely. We must use these projects to cement the links between the generations and allow people to learn from one another how we can live our lives to the fullest, whether young or old." Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “Generations Together is a really exciting initiative that has great potential to help young and old people value each other more. Being part of a community where people care is something that we all want young and old alike. Volunteering is a very important part of all strong communities as it makes people feel valued and cared for. It's particularly important that people do what they can to help others during challenging times. Already British society has shown great compassion, generosity and determination to help those less fortunate and so I am confident that Generations Together will be a great success."   By KS Date 30-05-2009 Print this article | React to this article