18 June 2008

Rt Hon Mike O'Brien MP

Minister of State for Pensions Reform

Bridging the Gap: a Government perspective on intergenerational working

Wednesday, 18 June  2008

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Safer stronger Communities: Creating caring neighbourhoods for all ages

Bridging the Gap: a Government perspective on intergenerational working

It is my pleasure to join you today to consider the challenges around intergenerational working and creating stronger communities.

Intergenerational working is important because:

• It helps break down the barriers of difference – whether that be age, culture or lifestyle
• It promotes diversity and equality – both concepts so important to create a more cohesive society
• And it engenders a sense of service and community spirit – helping to build stronger communities and reduce social exclusion amongst both young and old

We must also recognise communities are dynamic and constantly changing.

They are created by the participation of the people and people’s level of participation varies enormously.

People, with busy working lives don’t have much time to participate in anything else.

Yet building stronger communities means encouraging active citizenship and creating opportunities for more involvement between the generations.

Building strong communities and intergenerational work is not easy.

But there is already much good work going on around the country to foster and capitalise on the benefits of intergenerational working.

For instance, Age Concern in Kingston Upon Thames has shown intergenerational work is beneficial in challenging ageism and providing older people with an opportunity to enhance their quality of life.

While the Centre for Intergenerational Practice is helping to spread knowledge and best practice across society.

This work, albeit in its early stages, is of growing importance as we face the unique challenges of demographic change.

Challenges of our ageing society.

Rising wealth, better nutrition and improved healthcare means we are, on average, living longer.

And we will see dramatic increases in the oldest age groups.

For example, today there are about 10,000 people aged over 100.

By 2050 it is predicted this will increase to 250,000.

So King William V, who is likely to be on the throne, could be sending over 700 telegrams a day!

Outdated stereotypes

Despite ever growing numbers of older people, perceptions of age are often negative and focus on need rather than celebrating the contributions older people make to our society.

Unlike the other Isms – sexism or racism for instance – attitudes to age have changed very little in the last half a century.

Age is often trivialised, so that older people are seen as needy or a burden.

A recent Help the Aged report showed that over half of people over-65 believed that age discrimination existed in the everyday lives of older people.

Age Concern have called Ageism the “Acceptable face of discrimination”.

A brief reading of history will tell you that little has changed over the centuries:

Some 400 years ago, Shakespeare (in ‘As You Like It’) famously wrote about the seven ages of man – from child to old man:

He states: “by the sixth age this confident man has been reduced to “a lean and slippered pantaloon”

… while the seventh and final age marks “second childishness … sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, san everything”.

While today, many are denied work, volunteering or social benefits because of their age:

A recent example is Tony had been a volunteer flying instructor with his local gliding club for over 30 years.

On reaching 70, he could only continue giving full flying instruction by taking an expensive medical examination, based on rules which he believes were outdated as they fail to reflect current risk levels of cardio vascular problems.

You might conclude that ageism appears ingrained in our psyche!

Well, we must challenge it.

As our society ages it is ever more incumbent on us to rid this discrimination from our society.

This is where intergenerational work can be of great help.

By building bridges between people who might not normally meet and enabling skills to be shared.

In lessening the differences and emphasising the congruencies, intergenerational work can help defeat outdated stereotypes.

That is why it is a key part of our strategy for adapting to ageing.

Strategy

Increasing longevity is a good thing but we need to adapt to the changes.

Many older people are already driving this change.

For instance, 1.3 million people aged over 65 are still working, up 8.4 per cent on last year more than any other group – and many of these people are taking advantage of part-time or flexible working.

There are also many older people volunteering, looking after their grandchildren, or acting as carers.

… defying the outdated stereotypes.

But we know there is more to do.

It is vital that the Government leads this change, setting the strategic direction and ensuring services and work are joined up.

So we attach a high priority to the challenges posed by our ageing society.

I believe it is as important as maintaining a strong economy, fighting terrorism or dealing with global warming.

Demographic change will impact everyone; it is unavoidable.

Our strategy comes under our Public Service Agreement to “Tackle poverty and promote greater independence and well-being in later life.”

It is the first PSA targeted at the specific needs of an ageing population.

Placing the needs of older people at the heart of the Government’s programme for action.

This PSA brings together local and national priorities for older people.

Creating a framework for developing and delivering services tailored to their needs.

Stimulating local partnerships and joined up working at all levels of Government.

Our PSA makes it clear, it’s not just about alleviating poverty, though this is vital.

Sixty years ago, William Beveridge – the architect of the welfare state – spoke about five Giants that threatened people’s independence and well being: want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness.

His radical proposals, taken forward by the post war Atlee Administration, created a modern welfare state that sought to empower people to slay the five Giants.

Universal health and education, decent housing and a benefit system that provided security for those who could not work and help in finding a job for those who could.

But today, I believe our ageing population presents us with five new Giants: Poverty; Frailty; Discrimination Fear and Loneliness

These are the key barriers that can turn the enjoyment of later life into an endurance.

Without radical action, these five Giants could become stronger as our population ages.

Like Beveridge 60 years ago, the Government must be committed to defeating the Giants.

The first is of course poverty and as last week’s figures showed, we need to be more radical to continue the overall trend of reducing poverty since 1997.

But the second challenge is to tackle the problems of frailty, both physical and mental so that the onset of dementia or the loss of mobility do not mean an older person becomes detached from society, but rather that life can be lived in dignity and with respect.

How we treat our older people is an important barometer of whether or not we have a society based on decency, fairness and respect.

It is vital we take the time to understanding the needs of others, especially those who are vulnerable.

For example, Dorothy, aged 92 and suffering from dementia, was admitted to hospital but not given the help she needed to eat. On many occasions Dorothy’s food was left untouched on her bedside table and taken away at the end of mealtimes by the catering staff. Her food also needed to be pureed but often this was not done.

Recognising issues of frailty is crucial.

Thirdly, to tackle discrimination, so that the 70 year old who is still bursting with energy can continue to work and re-train. To volunteer or to contribute as an active member of the community.

And the fourth challenge is to tackle fear, so that older people feel confident in their homes and free to walk in their local streets having public space that encourages interaction between all ages.

The recent World Health Organisation report on Age Friendly cities noted that London was particularly good at this, but there are lessons we can learn for other towns and cities.

The Government’s strategy for lifetime homes and neighbourhoods shows the importance of ensuring our homes adapt as we age – for example wider doorways to enable wheel chairs but also buggies.

And the fifth challenge is perhaps the most difficult – loneliness, so that the pensioner who lives alone, isolated in their flat, can find out where to go to make friends and is encouraged to socialise or help in their local community.

Intergenerational working can play an important part in defeating these giants.

For instance:

• Friends and relatives can help ensure older people claim all the benefits they are entitled to;
• Getting older and younger people to interact can reduce the fear of crime;
• While encouraging people to take the time to talk to their elderly neighbours can help defeat social exclusion and ensure people do not get detached from society.

We know that isolation encourages fears so it is vital that we encourage greater interaction between all in society so that people feel secure in their neighbourhoods and confident in their community.

Older people’s day

One of the ways we are encouraging intergenerational working is through Older People’s Day.

From last year, we have celebrated 1st October as UK Older People’s Day.

It aims to promote and celebrate the contributions older people make to our society.

As well as challenging outdated stereotypes and encouraging participation in society.

Many in the room will know, this year, our theme is intergenerational work.

We will be linking up with schools, children’s centres, youth groups, community centres and older people’s groups up and down the country.

And we are joining up with Grandparents day on 5th October, giving a full five days focus to events.

We hope this will build on the success of last year, making this year’s event bigger and better.

It will be an excellent opportunity to bring communities together – be it through socialising, helping or volunteering.

Helping to build trust and understanding between generations.

I hope you will join in; I’d welcome your ideas and support on making this a success.

Conclusion: Bridging the gap

Intergenerational working is vital in helping us build sustainable, strong communities.

The key is ensuring that we continue to build on established links and channels (e.g. NHS, schools, Sure Start etc.) is to link up what is there while also allowing enough creativity in the system.

Fostering respect amongst young and old and breaking down barriers will enable us to better adapt to our ageing society.

Ensuring that age is no longer seen as a barrier to contribution and participation in society.

And building stronger more cohesive communities.

That’s the goal and it must be at the heart of our strategy for an Ageing Society.