Money
Retirement
Skills that bring the generations together
In the heart of South Wales old and young residents of a few small towns are working together to share the skills that define their generations. Amy Davies gets to grips with this innovative scheme
If you've ever stared at a young person entranced by a fancy gizmo and wondered what all the fuss was about, you wouldn't be the only one. Maybe you're wary of trying out the gadget, but secretly you have a burning desire to be in on the scene. This is where something called "skills swapping" comes in handy.
Almost three years ago the Retired and Senior Volunteers Programme (RSVP) based in Rhondda Cynon Taf, in the South Wales Valleys, held "Make a Difference Day." On this day, young people showed older people how to use mobile phones.
Set up by RSVP's Pam Bush and Judith McMullin, who had been working towards asking older volunteers to demonstrate traditional craft skills to young people, came up with the idea of "skills swapping" after seeing what Judith describes as "the great enthusiasm of the youngsters for showing off their technology skills."
Since then, the Skills Swap programme has taken place many times in various local schools. Older volunteers taught knitting, sewing, cross stitch, calligraphy, card making and storytelling. Children, meanwhile, demonstrated how to use mobile phones, computers, iPods and digital cameras.
RSVP's oldest volunteer, 81-year-old Marion Morgan, taught the youngsters calligraphy, which she herself learned as a child more than 70 years ago. Marion is surprised at how well the children took to this once-popular pastime: "They are genuinely interested - they really are. The work they put in to try and do the work is fantastic," she says.
The project has ensured that traditional crafts and skills are passed on to future generations, something Marion views as very important and believes should be taught in modern schools. Judith adds that these skills boost the confidence of non-academic children as it gives them "the opportunity to achieve at something where they otherwise might not."
And the benefits don't stop there. Judith points out, "In these credit crunch times we aim to show young people inexpensive ways of living, a return to the 'make do and mend' ways of the World War II era." Recycling, caring for the environment and healthy eating are also promoted through the scheme.
Contemporary skills are met with the same enthusiasm by the older volunteers. Trying out modern gadgetry gave confidence in areas where previously they have struggled. Marion can now not only use various functions on her mobile phone, the children also taught her how to use the laptop computer she received on her last birthday. She admits however, "I could do with a permanent teacher!"
Attitudes on both sides of the generational divide have been changed by the programme. One boy told Marion that he previously thought of older people as "grumpy" but had his opinion changed. Judith believes that the older volunteers were amazed to discover how polite, enthusiastic and well-behaved the youngsters were. Indeed, Marion says "I have been quite pleased to find that children are like that, because they don't get a very good press."
RSVP are currently in the process of applying for funding from the Big Lottery Fund which, if successful, will see the scheme rolled out on a more regular basis to more areas. It is clear that Judith feels there is real regret that these sessions could not continue for longer. Indeed, Marion adds, "The teachers seem to like it, all the children really love it and we are all good friends now."
Setting up your own Skills Swapping initiative might not be too difficult within your own family. So the next time your children or grandchildren come round enthralled by the latest must-have gadget why not ask them about it – perhaps you too could learn a new skill.
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