Generations Together

Duncan Smith, Service Manager, Wakefield Council

Lisa Spivey, Generation Xchange Project Manager

Generation Together

Project Partners:

• Age Concern Wakefield District • Groundwork Wakefield • Voluntary Action Wakefield District• Developing Initiatives, Supporting Communities• Wakefield Council• NHS Wakefield District, Public Health Service

Wakefield’s Project - Generation Xchange

Generation Xchange

• An innovative and creative intergenerational skills exchange scheme developed by a voluntary sector led partnership, supported by the local authority

• Delivering targeted intergenerational volunteering opportunities where individuals are supported and facilitated to exchange life skills

Generation Xchange

Five main work streams:

• Life skills

• Literacy

• Sport & Physical Activity

• Conservation and Environment

• Innovation and ongoing development

Aims

• address widening gaps in understanding and tolerance, to build stronger and more confident communities

• an increased opportunity to make a positive contribution through volunteering

• develop a practice model that could be replicated and developed in schools and community settings

Generation Xchange

Generation XchangeTargeted activity:

• areas of deprivation and improving life chances of vulnerable younger and older people

• Specific groups include: • ‘NEET’ young people and at risk of ‘NEET’ • care leavers and young offenders• socially isolated older people

• Accreditation opportunities

Key Outputs

• At least 1,700 additional volunteers working on intergenerational activity

• a district wide strategic and sustainable approach

• high quality evaluation framework

• good practice/lessons learnt; widening knowledge, interest and involvement in intergenerational practice

Generation Xchange

Building on Success• Existing successful intergenerational projects:

• Older people lunching with children in 50 of district’s schools - around 500 people benefiting

• Silver Surfers

• Extra Care Housing - Computer suites/Wii fit/sports

Generation XchangeHeadline Outcomes

5% (52) NEET young people involved in project

100+ projects delivered; 39 in most deprived areas,(743 people)

75% of young people stated they have improved life skills

Over 2,200 younger and older volunteers recruited to project

98% would like to participate in further intergenerational projects

25 projects developed involving 321 socially isolated older people

94% had developed a better understanding of other generation

40 of Wakefield’s Schools have taken part in the project

35 smaller organisations benefitted from grass-roots funding

4 larger community based innovation projects

Generation Xchange

Legacy and SustainabilityTraining Resource Packs - How to Guide and DVD

Intergenerational Toolkits: - Cooking Clubs - Lunch Clubs in Schools

• Reading Mentoring

• Silver Surfers

• Accreditation opportunities

• Expert Volunteers

Generations Xchange

Legacy and Sustainability• Wakefield District Intergenerational Network

• Age UK – Fit as a Fiddle Funding - Boccia Bowling - Healthy Living

• Online Centres – Silver Surfers Clubs

• Reaching Communities Funding Bid

Generation Xchange Website

Generation XchangeEmbedding a Strategic Approach :

• Positively Ageing: a strategy to improve wellbeing in later life

• Wakefield Children’s and Young People’s Plan

• Wakefield District Volunteering Strategy

• Joint Health and Wellbeing Commissioning Strategy

• Wakefield District Cohesion Strategy

• Wakefield District Integrated Youth Support Strategy

• Sports & Active Lifestyles Strategy

• Cultural Strategy 2007-2012

Positioning for the Big Society

Area based working localising delivery:- 7 Area Forums- 12 Priority Areas (10% most deprived IMD)

A First rate third sector: • Over 1,600 organisations, • A diverse, extensive and active voluntary and

community sector• Third Sector Development Plan

Positioning for the Big Society

• Projects developed within localities and communities have a greater impact on outcomes

• Use existing structures and networks; linking schools with community organisations can help develop sustainable models of intergenerational practice

• A district wide strategic and sustainable approach involving all stakeholders is needed to embed intergenerational practice

• Harnessing the talents and contributions of all our communities, across all ages

Thank you

Generation Xchange