Bridging the Generation Gap in Lincoln
News release
19th September 2013
Age UK Lincoln is asking schools to come forward and take part in a shared activity focused on bridging the gap between the generations.
As part of its celebrations for national Older People’s Day on 1st October and Grandparent’s Day on 6th October, the charity is planning to visit schools in Lincoln with its customers, over the course of a week, and demonstrate some of their ‘favourite things’.
It is now starting to contact schools across the city in the hope of raising interest in the week of activity and encouraging them to join in the fun.
“What we really want to do is start to bridge the gap between young and old in Lincoln,” said Rosie Davidson, Day Support Services Manager at Age UK Lincoln. “While many of our customers may not be as active as they were as children, they certainly don’t let that get in the way. They want to show the kids all the things that they love to do for fun, and we hope the kids will reciprocate.”
With clubs and classes including New Age Kurling, a choir and line dancing among others, the Park Street Activity Centre in Lincoln is a hive of activity and the staff and customers there want to show it off, in a bid to lessen the stigma that comes with old age.
“We have the occasional Nintendo Wii tournament in the centre,” said Rosie. “Maybe some of the local schools would like to challenge us to a game or two? We can’t promise we will let you win though!
“Whatever we can do to garner more of an understanding between the generations, we will give it our best shot. Once our Park Street Centre has been renovated, we would love to see more youngsters coming to visit.”
The premises are currently being modernised and the head office staff will be relocated from Sixfield Close to a new £700,000 extension at the centre.
So far, funding has been raised through the sale of the current Age UK Lincoln head office and through a grant of £200,000 from the Bradbury Foundation. The rest has come from the charity’s own reserves.
However, there are still many aspects of the build that Age UK Lincoln doesn’t yet have funding for, such as a new roof and a new boiler. The missing items are vital to the comfort and wellbeing of the centre’s 1,800 weekly customers.
“We hope that, in the end, the schools would also like to help us with our fundraising efforts with fun activities like sponsored sports events or non-uniform days,” said Rosie. “There’s still so much left for us to do to the building and it would be great if we could work together to make it happen!”
For more information on the school visits, or if you would like to take part, please call Rosie or Helena on 01522 527694.
Ends
Notes to editors:
• Age UK Lincoln is an independent charity which is part of the national Age UK network. Registered charity number 1078539
• This year Age UK Lincoln celebrated its 55th anniversary in June 2013
• Age UK Lincoln’s aim is to enable people to lead full and active lives and stay safe and independent within their homes
• The activity centre on Park Street, Lincoln is free to attend for people over 50 and doesn’t require membership. It offers activities such as language or art classes, dancing, computer skills, friendship clubs and more
• The activity centre also offers free information and advice on issues such as finance, benefits, housing options and personal budgets
• More information can be found at www.ageuk.org.uk/lincoln/
Cesca Bickley
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cesca@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cescabick
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