Youth centres and children's centres called upon to bridge generational gap
Janaki Mahadevan
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Children's centres, youth centres and care homes should be central to efforts to improve links between the young and older generations, charity 4Children has claimed.
Think Intergenerational: Connecting Generations to Support Communities, published by 4Children with support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, concludes that both the young and older generations are at risk of feeling isolated because of cuts to public services that are impacting on social care provision and youth opportunities.
The report fosters the idea that community hubs be created to improve relationships between the generations, using centres that serve young children, adolescents and also elderly people.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: "We have to adopt a new perspective on young and older people and see them as community assets and not as a drain on public resources.
"It’s shortsighted that younger and older people are being under-utilised at a time when their activity could be the most beneficial to society. With a fresh vision, we could combine their energies to create sustainable solutions – for example, by maximising volunteering and by drawing on the unique assets of each generation."
The report authors also believe building strong intergenerational work should be one of the main planks of the big society agenda, and that ideas such as housing schemes that explore bringing together younger and older people.
Andrew Barnett, director of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation UK, said: "Evidence shows that intergenerational connections bring individuals of all ages a greater sense of understanding and friendship across generations while helping them feel valued for their effort and skills.
"This outlines some of the essential changes that still need to be put in place to support the intergenerational relationships that are so precious to families and communities. These measures have the potential to create a resilient, happier society where all ages feel valued."