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