Innovative projects bring young and old together

Creating opportunities for older and younger people to work and learn together - and learn from each other - is the aim of the St Ives Reminiscence Project. This is one of a number of 'Between the Years' schemes in West Cornwall, set up to bridge the generation gap in innovative and challenging ways.

Its activities in St Ives include workshops covering subjects such as art, stained glass, jewellery, silversmithing, ceramics, creative writing, desk-top publishing, photography and video-making.

Between the Years is run by Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) and has received £116,000 from Engage West Cornwall - the body that distributes Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding to community projects in Penwith, Kerrier and the Penwerris Ward of Falmouth.

"Old and young have much to learn from each other and there is a risk that in an increasingly fragmented society the generations are driven further and further apart," said Tarn Lamb, Community Development Director at CN4C. "This project seeks to put older and younger generations back in touch with each other. Then local communities will benefit from the knowledge, wisdom, energy and enthusiasms that exist within them but are sometimes hard to find."

Other examples of recent reminiscence activities have included students from Humphry Davy School making a video about the Princess May Recreation Ground, Penzance. The film presents their own hopes for redevelopment of 'The Rec', including their views on the new skatepark, alongside the reminiscences of older people about the way they enjoyed the open space when they were children.

At Trelawney House in Camborne, another reminiscence initiative has seen elderly residents entertained by an up-and-coming cabaret singer and a young musician.

In St Ives, previous Reminiscence Project workshops have included sessions on mentoring and communication. These have been particularly helpful for volunteers from the St Ives Reminiscence Project, giving them skills and resources to carry out their work in recording the past and present history of St Ives.

A venture concerned with holistic living, in association with the Cornwall Health Initiative, has been focusing on local food and encouraging older people to pass on some of their culinary skills to a new generation. The kitchen sessions have given others an insight into the workings of a professional kitchen - and some students have since found work in catering.

"These projects in St Ives, Penzance, Camborne and in many other parts of the region are all excellent examples of partnership working," says Tarn. "For the younger people, especially, Between the Years is actively helping to improve employment possibilities. Between the Years is one of seven initiatives nationwide. It is one of the very few that has achieved interaction between teenagers and older people - two groups who are often at loggerheads. We are grateful for the Engage funding that has made this innovative project possible."

"This project fits in perfectly with our aims," says Anne Nicholls of Engage. "These are to enhance the employment prospects, education and skills of local people, especially those living in the deprived wards, through positive intervention. We are delighted to be able to channel SRB funding into such worthwhile work."

For further information on CN4C or Between the Years, contact Barbara Smith, PR Adviser, on 01736 786421/07801 947897 or Tarn Lamb, Community Operations Director, on 01209 219246. The St Ives Reminiscence Project Manager is Elaine Farrell, on 01736 796264.