£5.5m community programme to unite generations

Monday, 01 June 2009 19:09

The £5.5 million programme launched by the Government today (1 June) is an initiative to set up 12 intergenerational projects in various communities around the country to encourage people of all ages and generations to communicate and understand each other better.

Last year a survey was conducted of around 3,500 people in which people felt that there was "a growing gulf between the young and old and the negative attitudes this can encourage among the generations."

In a consultation called "Time to Talk" more activities were called for to bring together the community and meeting places for people across the age and race divide.

The Government is asking local authorities together with local voluntary organisations to apply for the funding to put these community initiatives in place.

The aims of such initiatives are to provide positive role models and mentors to young people, reassure older people that there are many law-abiding and talented young people, improve the mental and physical health of older people by encouraging lots of activity in engaging with the young, encourage both young and older people to play an active part in their community, promote community volunteering projects and supporting the most vulnerable members of all ages in the community.

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