Life swap for the generations

When the generations come together in a life swap they tend to be in for a big surprise. The new learning curve is as exciting for the old as it is for the young with many changing quite a few of their misconceptions and prejudices and opening up to new experiences.

Betty Dunbar had been cynical about teenagers until she undertook the project. She lives in a retirement village in Surrey isolated from younger people.

Nevertheless, Betty undertook a life swap project when four young people came to stay with her and her neighbours learning valuable life lessons in this time.

Betty also spent a week with 19-year-old Jace Russsell and his family in Hertfordshire where she learnt many new things that changed her life. Not only did she later join the young adults on a surfing trip in Cornwall but she joined Facebook where Jace helped her find her estranged daughter.

Betty said: It has made me think about my daughter. I think eventually I will get in touch with her. I do miss her."

She added: "I think it has reignited a little bit of youth in me because I've done things which I didn't think I could manage to do.

It was a life changing experience for 83-year-old Roy Hone when he temporarily abandoned his local bowls club to spend a week with 24-year-old beautician Zoe Day. Zoe encouraged him into a gay bar in Southampton singing Karaoke and trying out a new cocktail - a "jagerbomb" combination of a shot of Jagermeister and Red Bull.

Of his experience Roy said: "I shall go back invigorated and I'm thinking of doing all sorts of things as a result." He added that "spending time with Zoe gave him a new lease of life."

Trevor Syson, a musician struck down by Parkinsons Disease also found a new lease of life bonding with fellow musician 21-year-old Jonny Rowland who encouraged him up on stage with his band to a round of applause. Trevor has found it hard to play his harmonica and guitar but now he feels invigorated and refreshed.

Trevor said: "If you start thinking you're old you'll get old. You need to still think you're young." He added that just being around Jonny and his mates made him feel "younger by many years" and that though he limps around a bit he feels he wants to get up and dance!

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