‘Bridging the Gap’ funded by Awards for All, was a 12 week intergenerational project, working with students from Seaford Head Upper School and local Seniors, community volunteers, local magistrates, East Sussex Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Seaford Twinning Association, and Seaford Town Council. The project aimed to bridge a perception gap, that is, the gap between the negative images of young or older people and how people from those groups really are when they meet face-to-face. The media often reinforces negative stereotypes, for example about ‘youth crime’ and ‘helpless pensioners’ and the gap has increased with breakdown of the extended family. The project came to life when the Seniors joined us in week 4: There was an almost instantaneous rapport between the two groups, as if a real need to come together and share perspectives had been met. We shared stories and aspirations, and together created five short films. LifeWisdoms aim’s to bridge such gaps, to help people move from numbing isolation to enlivened participation, from exclusion to inclusion, within oneself and within the community. We aim to promote awareness, about the many issues and difficulties we face, socially and individually, and the choices available to positively affect the situations we find ourselves in. Drama is a great tool for this. It challenges us to move from shyness and reticence, and fear of ridicule to confidence and self-expression. Devising an original drama is also an exercise in collaboration, creative problem solving, and moulding ideas into form and action. It promotes social skills and increased awareness with great scope for fun along the way. The 5 films represent the tip of the iceberg, the culmination of a much bigger process. The real bonus features are the memories of the process, the confidence and pride in the accomplishment and the future inspiration and understanding it generates: ‘Break Free’ – loud music is the expression of one group’s freedom that impinges on the freedom of another. It also provides an opportunity for both to come together and find a greater freedom. ‘Never to Old’- acknowledges the Twenty year old inside trying get out, and leads to closer relations between granddaughter and grandmother. ‘The Big Match’- looks at the loss of youth and youthful accomplishments behind the critical stance of the older person. ‘The Deal’ -examines how drug crime can be normalised within youth culture, sometimes at the personal and devastating consequences of this across the generation gap. ‘Who Cares’ - Is a meditation on ageing and an exercise in empathy as young people play old and old play young. All of these stories are about bridging various gaps.

• published: 05 May 2015
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