People over 50 watching TV on their mobile phone? A 17-year-old spending their spare time gardening?

Each generation holds misconceptions of other age groups, and these can often go unchallenged as the generations keep themselves separate. But are we all missing out on learning about new perspectives on life?

Promoting understanding
Intergenerational mentoring can encourage a more cohesive society - governments and organisations all over the world are investing in bringing together people from different age groups.

It's no longer about sharing memories of the war, but purposeful, mutually beneficial activities that promote greater understanding, support and respect between generations.

There are countless intergenerational projects happening across the globe. These range from different generations of women in London getting together and learning about each other through art projects, to community gardening projects in Derbyshire and experienced and new shipworkers in Greece exchanging skills.

In Germany, one project took a more traditional approach by inviting older mentors to support disadvantaged schoolchildren, whilst a project in Romania brought together retired and young actors to stage a performance and reflect on life experiences.

Passing on experience
An international project running in Finland, Italy, Slovenia and the UK, the Teddy Bear project, teamed people aged over 50 with primary schoolchildren to increase their knowledge of the social changes in their community.

This intergenerational learning focused on subjects as diverse as food, celebrations, rural crafts and games, with the children responding to their mentor's life stories with artwork, drama or written text. The children then became the mentors, teaching the older people IT skills and helping them gain confidence.

Co-ordinator Terhi Wermundsen said, "All of the interviewees stated the meaningfulness of intergenerational co-operation. Age is not a barrier for common activities; different generations can learn from each other and they can also be friends."

Community Celebration of Place in Minneapolis, USA, has been working with communities for over 10 years, using music, performance, art and oral history to bring together children and older people. Russell Gary, a 49-year-old 'elder' in the scheme says, "I enjoy life and live it to the fullest every day. That's why I work with kids. They give me joy and fulfillment. They keep me young."

Skills exchange
Young people just entering the job market and older workers nearing retirement are the main beneficiaries of the UP AGE experience in Italy.

This project came out of recent employment strategy, where the focus was on recruiting younger workers, resulting in the loss of a great deal of expertise as older workers retired early.

Bringing together both sets of workers has meant that complementary skills can be exchanged - young workers in their first job have been supported, whilst older workers have had the opportunity to update their technical skills.

This kind of mentoring project shows how mentors get as much from the experience as their younger mentees. As a rewarding activity, intergenerational mentoring can increase self-esteem, improve health and well-being and create a sense of being a valued member of the community.

In 2001, the Beth Johnson Foundation, which works to develop, influence and challenge the role and status of older people in the UK, set up a Centre for Intergenerational Practice, focusing specifically on improving lives through activities across the generations.

To get started on sharing your skills and experience with the younger generation, visit the volunteering database www.do-it.org.uk to find opportunities in your area.

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