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4.0 Forging Links Between the Generations
Links between generations in a whole range of ways have tremendous potential benefit for all involved. Younger people can benefit from learning from an older generation, skills can be passed on and experience shared. Older people can benefit by having a greater role in society, by being valued more, and by new learning and experiences and greater involvement. Respondents to the consultation on the Strategy recognised that this was a critically important area in their own lives, and that effective links led to mutual respect, increased understanding and valuing what those of different ages have to offer.
Case Study: The Gaelic tradition
Within the Gaelic tradition there are many examples of initiatives which seek to establish links between the old and the young and provide opportunities for traditions to be passed on. This is a prominent emphasis within Gaelic development and the transmission of songs and stories to younger generations is an ongoing theme within this community. A number of groups have a particular interest in this area; groups such as Feisean nan Gaidheal, Proiseact nan Ealan, Tobar an Dualchais and An Comunn Gaidhealach. They contribute to this in the promotion of traditional songs, storytelling and poetry which have been within Gaelic communities and families for many generations. In addition, in certain areas of the Highlands and Hebrides there is a strong network of Comann Eachdraidh or local history societies which have a key role to play in the preservation of local traditions and making them available for younger generations.
Case Study: When I Was Your Age Too
'When I Was Your Age Too' is an initiative set up by Strathclyde Police in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, with the aim of breaking down barriers between young and old, and reducing the fear of crime. The project has been developed in conjunction with Reid Kerr College and Help the Aged, and supported by Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Council's Education and Social Work departments, and local Elderly Forum Groups. It began with a series of road shows that used the power of drama to show that older and younger people faced many similar issues. The next phase is the establishment of an Intergenerational Council to drive further initiatives to improve communication, understanding and trust between the age groups, under the guidance of a project worker.
Volunteering is one important way in which younger and older people can come together to learn more about each others lives, and to develop a better understanding of each others hopes, fears and aspirations - in short, a chance to get to know one another and a chance to encourage co-operation, trust and respect between generations. Intergenerational work of this kind also has the potential to deliver real outcomes in changing individuals' circumstances and improving their life chances: from transforming the educational achievements of young people in schools by helping out with those who face particular challenges; to turning around opportunities for those who have left school and are not in education, employment or training; helping improve the quality of life of those with mental health problems; enabling older people to learn more about ICT from younger people, or helping individuals get through difficult transitions.
Case Study
The Big Lottery Fund programme Supporting 21st Century Life includes an objective of trying to bring generations together and supports projects with this aim.
Older people are evident in schools across Scotland and have added a new dimension to the classroom by enriching the learning experiences of children and young people. Many of these relationships have been developed and encouraged through contacts with the local community and families and organisations such as RSVP. Schools across Scotland will continue to be encouraged to build and develop ongoing relationships with older people.
Better relationships between generations are also recognised as a component of good community safety, and many police authorities have developed local intergenerational schemes to promote better understanding between generations.
Much intergenerational work has been developed at a local level in response to local needs and circumstances. This often happens best as part of community development and can build from good practice already evident in Scotland in areas such as traditional music and storytelling, or within faith groups where one generation passes on traditions and learning to the next. This is to be welcomed. The Scottish Executive believes that many areas and projects could benefit from the sharing of such experience and best practice.
We believe that better links between the generations are at the heart of a successful Strategy.
We therefore intend to establish a Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice which will identify, publicise and promote best practice in intergenerational work. It will also encourage training and the sharing of skills, and will work collaboratively with all relevant professionals and practitioners.
In addition
- We will encourage local authorities to work with schools and the new Parent Councils (from August 2007) to help identify the role that parents, grandparents and others, such as older adults in general, can play in supporting the school. This could cover parent councils, volunteering in schools and taking part in the general life of the school.
- We will include material on engaging with the community and considering the contribution grandparents and older adults can make to the life of the school in the welcome pack for members of Parent Councils. This will support them with their function to promote contact between the school, pupils and parents, and the wider community.
- We will commission Learning Teaching Scotland ( LTS) to hold an event to showcase the contribution older people can make to young people's learning and the ethos of schools.
- We will commission LTS to include examples of good intergenerational working in the illustrations of good practice for A Curriculum for Excellence.
- In building the new curriculum, we will take into account the benefits of using the ideas, skills and experience of older people as a source of enrichment for teaching and learning.
- We will promote the interaction between organisations working with older and younger people as part of our Youth Work Strategy, so as to ensure the benefits of older volunteers and workers acting as role models, coaches, instructors and mentors within youth work projects.
- We will build on the existing work of voluntary sector organisations who offer emotional and practical support to vulnerable parents in their community by looking for opportunities to use the experience and knowledge of older people in this work.
- Volunteer Development Scotland will extend the MV Awards (formerly Millennium Volunteer Awards) to include awards for older people who have contributed particularly to intergenerational volunteering.
Grandparents
The Executive recognises the key role that grandparents play in supporting families with young children. The first report from the Growing up in Scotland survey shows that, in the families included in the project, grandparents were the single most common type of childcare provider being used. Two-thirds of families with babies and half of families with toddlers used the child's grandparents for regular childcare. They have a particularly important role in families in the most deprived areas. Grandparents are also a key source of advice and support in families (Scottish Executive, 2007a). The Executive will consider further how grandparents and other informal child carers can be better supported.
We have consulted on a range of issues that affect grandparents who care full time for grandchildren in the consultation on a National Fostering and Kinship Care Strategy that issued in December last year; the consultation period ended on 16 February 2007 and responses are currently being analysed.
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