New Spin Project, Leith, Edinburgh
Overview
New Spin Intergenerational Project promotes community cohesion through building relationships between older adults and young people in Leith. It is a partnership project between the Pilmeny Development Project and the Citadel Youth Centre. They secured two years funding from the National Lottery and gained a development officer and two workers to support younger and older people respectively. They provide community-based opportunities for the generations to learn together, get to know each other and have fun together. This happens through a variety of projects, including an Intergenerational Café, indoor games, cooking activities and team building games. There are also arts and bowls activities, and trips and outings to places of interest across Scotland.
Successes
The intergenerational cafe on Friday afternoons is an informal 'drop-in' where people can join in a number of activities including cooking, table games, indoor curling, arts and crafts. This provides continuity to develop stronger relationships. It is open to any older or young person who has completed an induction session or any of our other intergenerational events or projects. Therefore people can continue to participate when time-limited projects come to an end.
The development of an induction process has helped to bring the generations together. Initially separate sessions for older people and young people are held. This provides an open opportunity to examine hopes and fears and challenge stereotypes so that individuals are more confident and comfortable when they come together. Picture right: Jewellery-making.
Another important aspect of the project is participant involvement in decision making. It has helped foster participant ownership of the project, ensuring activities are shaped so that they meet everyone's needs, whether old or young, and that activities are beneficial and accessible to both generations.
The most successful element of our project so far has been the building of positive relationships between old and young. All activities and sessions are focused on building intergenerational relationships through mutual enjoyment. This has meant the retention of participants over weeks and months allowing relationships to deepen and flourish. Picture right: Citadel Centre in the former station building.
Older people said:
"I no longer feel like I'm invisible. It's great when I am recognised in the street and treated as an equal."
"It has shown me that these are approachable young people, whereas my feeling before was general wariness. We're building bridges."
Young people said:
"I used to think old people were a bit scary but now I think they are good fun"
"I saw George on the bus... and was pleased to have his company for the journey."
Email: Andy Skea Cidadel Youth Centre, New Spin Project website
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