Age workshops held in Carmarthenshire
Workshops have been held to help break down the barriers between young and older people in Carmarthenshire.
More than 80 people aged between 14 and 81 attended intergenerational workshops in Ammanford and Llanelli.
The aim was to improve relations between the two groups, as well as alleviate older people’s fear of youngsters and the fear of crime in general and give young people a positive view of the elderly. Older and younger people live, work, learn and play side by side.
They may have common interests and concerns, live in the same area, pass each other in the street, shop in the same shops but may never engage with each other. As a result, distrust, misunderstanding, hostility and fear of each other can often develop.
The workshops were organised by the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, which includes the council, police, fire service and other partner agencies working together to make the county a safer place.
The council’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Michelle Langshaw said: “Everyone who attended said that the event was worthwhile and they had the opportunity to share their experiences. Those who do not regular contact with the opposite generation also said that the event had helped to change their view in a positive way.”
The events were attended by Dyfed-Powys Police, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Age Concern and Carmarthenshire Youth Council.
Community safety manager Kate Thomas said: “We want to bring older and younger members of the community together to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes and just give everyone a chance to get to know each other, work as a team, share experiences, debate issues and generally break down barriers in a safe and comfortable environment.
“Intergenerational work has been identified as an effective way to address a number of issues and helps to build an active community, promoting citizenship, regenerating neighbourhoods, and addressing inequality. Initiatives like these help to bring generations together and improve the understanding between them.”
Some of the comments made by attendees:
“I have learnt that younger and older people have more needs in common than I thought.”
Male, aged 17
“Not all people look on young people as being hoodies.”
Female, aged 14
“What I enjoyed most about the day was talking and learning about how the older generation feel.”
Female, aged 16
“Older people were fun.”
Male, aged 15
“Good company, I learnt a lot about young people.”
Male, aged 81
“Everyone has a valid point of view and we should listen to each other more often.”
Female, aged 57
“It has made me realise that we should value the views of younger people.”
Female, aged 72
“It was an insight into how younger people think and it was a very pleasant surprise.”
Female, aged 74
Glan Y Mor School year eight pupils Chloe Powell and Tiffany Adler talk to Yvonne Jones from Llangennech.
More than 80 people aged between 14 and 81 attended intergenerational workshops in Ammanford and Llanelli.
The aim was to improve relations between the two groups, as well as alleviate older people’s fear of youngsters and the fear of crime in general and give young people a positive view of the elderly. Older and younger people live, work, learn and play side by side.
They may have common interests and concerns, live in the same area, pass each other in the street, shop in the same shops but may never engage with each other. As a result, distrust, misunderstanding, hostility and fear of each other can often develop.
The workshops were organised by the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, which includes the council, police, fire service and other partner agencies working together to make the county a safer place.
The council’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Michelle Langshaw said: “Everyone who attended said that the event was worthwhile and they had the opportunity to share their experiences. Those who do not regular contact with the opposite generation also said that the event had helped to change their view in a positive way.”
The events were attended by Dyfed-Powys Police, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Age Concern and Carmarthenshire Youth Council.
Community safety manager Kate Thomas said: “We want to bring older and younger members of the community together to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes and just give everyone a chance to get to know each other, work as a team, share experiences, debate issues and generally break down barriers in a safe and comfortable environment.
“Intergenerational work has been identified as an effective way to address a number of issues and helps to build an active community, promoting citizenship, regenerating neighbourhoods, and addressing inequality. Initiatives like these help to bring generations together and improve the understanding between them.”
Some of the comments made by attendees:
“I have learnt that younger and older people have more needs in common than I thought.”
Male, aged 17
“Not all people look on young people as being hoodies.”
Female, aged 14
“What I enjoyed most about the day was talking and learning about how the older generation feel.”
Female, aged 16
“Older people were fun.”
Male, aged 15
“Good company, I learnt a lot about young people.”
Male, aged 81
“Everyone has a valid point of view and we should listen to each other more often.”
Female, aged 57
“It has made me realise that we should value the views of younger people.”
Female, aged 72
“It was an insight into how younger people think and it was a very pleasant surprise.”
Female, aged 74
Glan Y Mor School year eight pupils Chloe Powell and Tiffany Adler talk to Yvonne Jones from Llangennech.
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