WINNERS OF FIRST AWARDS FOR ALL AGES SHOW HOW TO TACKLE 'AGE APARTHEID' IN BRITAIN BY BRINGING YOUNGER AND OLDER PEOPLE TOGETHER

The winners of the first Awards for All Ages have been announced at a special event in the House of Lords (Tuesday 15 November 2011). The 2011 awards run by United for All Ages were presented at the event hosted by Baroness Sally Greengross and compered by broadcaster Fi Glover.

The thirteen winners in six categories show how older and younger people can be brought together in different ways to build stronger communities and end the 'age apartheid' in Britain.

The winners provide great examples of how to tackle youth unemployment, make the most of community facilities, tackle loneliness and isolation, and share learning and experience across ages. The winners are:

Centres for all ages
The Factory Community Project and Children's Centre
Thames Ditton Centre for the Community
Castlehaven Community Association
Prospex

Making the case
Neighbors Growing Together, Virginia Tech

Leading the way
YMCA Derbyshire in partnership with Housing 21
Peaks & Plains Housing Trust
IntergenerationALL, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Showcasing all ages
Grandchildren of the Blitz, London Bubble Theatre Company
Fi Glover, Generations Apart

Pioneers for all ages
Alan Hatton-Yeo, Centre for Intergenerational Practice, Beth Johnson Foundation
Steven Pettican, Peterborough Intergenerational Projects

Champion for all ages
Baroness Sally Greengross

Stephen Burke and Denise Burke, directors of United for All Ages, said: "Congratulations to all the winners of the first Awards for All Ages. They are great examples of what can be done by and for all ages. Their efforts and inspiration are creating a Britain for all ages.

"The winners demonstrate the richness and diversity of projects and people working to bring different generations together. Some of the projects are long-standing - forty years not out - while others are new in the last couple of years. Some have had national and international profile while others are very local in their impact. Almost all have come about because of an inspiring and pioneering individual. Never doubt that small groups of people can change the world.

"And there's a lot that needs to change. Whether it's helping young people develop skills and get into work to prevent a 'lost generation'; sharing resources and sites in a way that builds stronger communities and makes economic sense in these 'tough times'; or changing attitudes and perceptions towards each other so that we aren't isolated, lonely and 'generations apart'.

"There are also some interesting lessons from the winners. It's not easy bringing different ages together in a truly meaningful and integrated way, with some substantial barriers to overcome from multi-agency working to cultural norms. Most of the projects talk about the struggle to maintain funding and develop their activities.

"Clearly effective evaluation will help win funding and there are some examples where this is starting to happen. It is this need to show the benefits - real, tangible outcomes - together with raising the profile of intergenerational work that are key challenges for the future."

Notes to editors

For media enquiries including contact details for all the winners of the 2011 Awards for All Ages, please contact Stephen Burke on 01692 650816 or 07714 334510, or email: stephen.burke@unitedforallages.com

A brochure<http://www.unitedforallages.com/drupal/sites/all/sites/default/files/files/Awards%20for%20All%20Ages%202011%20Winners.pdf> about all the winners of the Awards for All Ages can be downloaded from United for All Ages' website. Photos of the winners at the House of Lords are available from Stephen Burke.

United for All Ages will be launching the 2012 Awards for All Ages in spring next year.

United for All Ages is a social enterprise that aims to build a stronger Britain by bringing younger and older people together through shared sites, shared caring and shared interests. Launched in 2010, United is working with councils, charities, universities and companies to make 'Britain for all ages' a reality. United's policy papers, United or divided? and Investing in the future, can be downloaded from.