Intergenerational Project gets off to a flying start at Paignton Community College

Tuesday the 29 June saw the beginning of what is hoped to be a more understanding and empathetic relationship between the young and old. Hosted by Paignton Community College, local residents and school children gathered for a coffee morning designed to improve relations and developinteraction between the two generations.

The project emerged from thethe Safer Communities Torbay ‘You Said, We Did’ consultation initiative which highlighted key areas of concern for local residents.During the consultations, both the bay’s young and older residents voiced an interest in mixed generation coffee mornings or afternoon teas to help bridge the gap.

Paignton Community College has been the pioneer college, proudly hosting the first meeting. Assistant Principle, Mark Smith kindly supported the event, providing teas and coffees as well as a brilliant performance from the school choir. Many of the local residents greatly appreciated the chance to speak one on one with the students, one resident stating:

“What a good idea! It gives us an opportunity to meet the young people.”

Another resident also commented:

“They were very understanding of the age gap and the choir was amazing!”

It would seem that it was not only the residents that benefited from the event, one student going as far as to say:

“Think I was too quick to judge old people; they’re quite cool really!”

These positive steps forward are good news for Police and Community Support Officer (PCSO) Gemma Willcocks who regularly patrols the Waterleat Road site., stating:

“It was a valuable project that was a great success .IIt was fantastic to see the two generations interacting -  intergenerational projects have the full backing of the police and I will attend as many as I can”

The positive response is hoped to continue with similar events being endorsed by Torquay Community College and Westlands School in the up and coming weeks. In addition, further coffee mornings are due to take place with local youth groups and sheltered housing schemes.

Anyone wishing to become involved in these events should telephone Safer Communities Torbay on 01803 841274 for more details.