Ministerial Foreword

2008 marked something of a turning point in social history. Young people under the age of 16 were outnumbered by those over the age of 65 for the first time. This demographic shift will continue, and it is likely to have profound consequences for the way in which generations interact.

The relationship between younger and older people in our communities is not always easy. All too often, young people are written off too quickly by too many adults, with the behaviour of a small minority of young people overshadowing the fact that the vast majority of our young people are a credit to their parents and carers, and to their communities. They are well behaved, do well at school, and are passionate about the environment, sport, the arts and helping others.

Meanwhile, older people are too often seen ‘over the hill’ and out of touch by the internet savvy youth of today. Many young people have lost sight of this really important truth: that many older people are able to relate to and support young people of all backgrounds, precisely because they have a longer, rich and varied experience of life. It is crucial for the long term health of our society that older people get the chance to pass down the wealth of insight and understanding to younger generations, and that they recognise the skills and talents of our young people, and learn from them too.

A widening demographic gap does not have to become a widening emotional gap. Increasing intergenerational activity and developing innovative ways for younger and older people to interact and come to better understand each other, will help reverse this breakdown in social cohesion.

Some local authorities have already recognised the benefits that intergenerational activity can have, and the enthusiasm and energy of the many voluntary organisations already involved in intergenerational projects has helped to reduce the gap in understanding between the young and old. But we want more local authorities to develop intergenerational approaches to support the delivery of local priorities. We are therefore very pleased to announce £5.5 million of support for 12 local intergenerational projects, delivered as a partnership between local authorities and their local third sector organisations.

Help us make this country not only the best place in the word to grow up – but also the best place in the world to retire.

Click the link to find our more. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/Olderpeople/DH_097784