NYA Update: New publication spans generational divide
Friday, May 13, 2011
The National Youth Agency, working in partnership with the Beth Johnson Foundation, has launched a publication to showcase how youth-led intergenerational activity has helped local communities address societal divides and issues.
The Youth-Led Intergenerational Practice Report features a variety of detailed case studies, exemplifying how local areas and organisations have bridged generational divides by taking different approaches to youth-led intergenerational activity.
The report, which was launched to coincide with European Solidarity Across the Ages Day (29 April 2011), is the culmination of a three-year partnership between the National Youth Agency and Beth Johnson Foundation.
Funded by the Office of Civil Society, the two organisations have directly supported a total of six intergenerational pilot projects, assisted a wider group of intergenerational youth-led network members and hosted a number of events to help groups share best practice.
Peta Halls, National Youth Agency development officer, said: "Through this work we have found intergenerational practice can bring many benefits to participants, that includes increased understanding and mutual respect between the generations, reducing fear of crime and providing volunteering opportunities for both young and old alike.
Louise Middleton, manager for the Centre for Intergenerational Practice at the Beth Johnson Foundation, added: "Younger and older people are the two groups most affected by ageist attitudes, and the many changes in our society have led to generations frequently becoming segregated from one another.
"By addressing limiting attitudes and promoting active citizenship, our work has demonstrated that intergenerational approaches are an effective way to address issues that have limited community development."
The report can be downloaded for free from www.nya.org.uk/ integrated-services-for-young-people/intergenerational-work.
For further information on Beth Johnson Foundation and intergenerational work, visit: www.bjf.org.uk and www.centreforip.org.uk.
