Bringing generations together

Linking Generations NI (LGNI), with funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA), is coordinating a series of events to bring old and young people together to share their experiences.

Over the next few weeks, almost 40 community and voluntary organisations are planning ‘Celebrating Age’ social activities in arts, cookery, bingo, tea parties, gardening and more to promote interaction between generations.

Mary Black, Assistant Director of Health Improvement at the PHA, said: “The 29 April marks European Day of Solidarity between Generations and it’s important to recognise the benefits of shared experiences between generations in addressing inequalities in our society.

“Activities like these will close the gap on what sometimes can be seen as a division between older and younger people and in fact there is a lot that both can learn from each other.”

The objective of the annual European Day of Solidarity between Generations and the ‘Celebrating Age’ initiative is to raise awareness of the importance of engagement across the generations and offer a platform to showcase good practice and activities that promote intergenerational solidarity.

Vicki Titterington, LGNI Manager, said: “These wonderful events will bring together people of all ages to discover what they have in common, share and learn skills, and to create dialogue and better understanding between the generations.

“LGNI’s aim is to help ensure that age groups will not be segregated, ageism will not exist and that age-integration is commonplace in the community. Younger people learn from the experience of older generations and pick up skills that they may not otherwise have tried, and likewise, older people learning newer skills from new technology from younger people who use it every day.”

More information on LGNI and events in your area can be found atwww.centreforip.org.uk/northern-ireland phoning Linking Generations NI Manager Vicki Titterington on 028 9181 3022 or email: vicki@bjf.org.uk