YMCA youths raise the bar for intergenerational cohesion

Residents from Romaelyn Gardens and young people from the YMCA South Devon centre came together this week for a morning fun, games and generational intermingling.

Following on from the successful events hosted by Paignton Community College and Victoria Park Youth Centre, it was the YMCA South Devon centre’s turn to host a coffee morning for members of the local community. The YMCA is Christian based organisations who focus their attention on challenged young people who may have experienced a troubled or difficult past.

The event broke many of the typical conventions expected at a coffee morning with both young and old partaking in activities such as basketball skittles and pool.

One youth commented about the older peoples enthusiasm to join in;

” I had no idea old people were so energetic!”

This was not the only pre-conceived view to be challenged, another youth saying;

“They’re actually really funny, much different to what I expected.”

Nother young person remarked;

“You can get on with them all. I’ll talk to them now and say good morning and let them pass if I pass them in the street.”

The young people were not the only ones to gain positive experiences from the event. One resident from Romaleyn Gardens had the following to say;

“I am 83 but I became ‘one of them’ so I didn’t feel or think there was an age gap; just friends together- it was great!

the interactions were great from both sides. I gained so much from them and from this experience. All those kids deserve all the help and love they can get.”

Maria Goodwin from the YMCA had only positive things to say about the event;

“I am so glad we put this event together. It was a tentative start but come the end it was fantastic to see them all together. Many of the residents provided positive role models for the kids, even if it was for a couple of hours. We would not hesitate in working with Safer Communities Torbay again on this project; I am confident it will go from strength to strength.”

It is hoped that the relationships established through this event will continue through additional projects run by Safer Communities Torbay, helping to build and develop a better understanding and in time respect for different generations.