Maximising benefit for all,

The value of intergenerational working

• Intergenerational practice aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contributes to building more cohesive communities.

• Intergenerational practice is inclusive, building on the positive resources that the generations have to offer to each other and those around them

Has there ever been a golden age of community?

Cohesive communities in the past have often experienced:PovertyDisadvantageLimited Social MobilityNational crisis Inequality

Danger of mythologising the past:

1880s The Shuttlers

1950s Razor Boys and Teddy Boys

1960s Mods and Rockers

1970s Punks, Skinheads

2040 ?

Conflict between the generations is part of our history.

Society has been experiencing increasingly rapid change since the industrial revolution

This has been:• Within the family• Within employment• Within technology• Within the media• Within transport• Within housing• Within personal expectations

Development of intergenerational programmes:• Initially related to concerns over growing

distances between generations and increased negative age related stereotypes.

• Then became focussed on mitigating problems affecting two ‘vulnerable’ groups in Society

• Developed in to an agent of change to revitalise neighbourhoods and communities by (re)-connecting the generations and connecting service providers

• Evidence suggests communities and neighbourhoods are becoming increasingly segmented and suspicious.

• Isolation of Older People is increasing• Tolerance of the young is decreasing• The Media is becoming increasingly

sensationalist• Globalisation has a strong hold on some of our

core values

And people are reported as being:More stressedLess contentMore anxiousMore suspiciousMore rushed

Main areas of current intergenerational work include:

• Intergenerational volunteering– Mentoring– Skills sharing– Coaching

• Community relationship building / community safety

• Active ageing / health and well being• Support to individuals and families

• Outcomes for older people include:

– Increased motivation– Increased perception of self worth– Reduced social isolation– Improved motivation– Recognition of the skills they

possess– Improved health and well being

• Outcomes for children and young people include:

– Increased self esteem and resilience– Access to adults at times of difficulty– Enhanced sense of social responsibility– Reduced involvement in offending and

solvent abuse– Better health– Improved school attendance and attainment

Outcomes for the community include:

• Improved community cohesion• Diversification of volunteering• Increased engagement• Increased social capital• Enhanced feeling of safety

Outcomes for Local Authorities include:

• Framework for sharing resources• Improved Cross-departmental working• Multiple outcomes for different groups• Value for money • Extra tools to address some priorities

Current British Policy Drivers:

• Strengthening the family and promoting the role of older kin

• Generational relationships in the workplace• Health and well-being – Active Ageing across

the life-course• Transitional retirement and the ‘habit’ of

volunteering• Support to young people not in education,

training or employment

• Citizenship and community engagement• Multi-generational approaches to community

cohesion• Building positive attitudes to the different

generations• Integrated team working in Local Authorities with

improved efficiency and better outcomes for more people

• Age Friendly Communities• Sustainable change

Models include:

• Derbyshire: • http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/Social_health/

adult_care_and_wellbeing/getting_out_and_involved/activities_services/helping_all_ages/default.asp

• Manchester• http://www.manchester.gov.uk/generationstogether

• Leeds

• http://www.leedsinitiative.org/generations/

"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime." -- Kofi Annan

www.centreforip.org.uk

alan@bjf.org.uk