Have Your Say have been fortunate in securing two years funding from the Community Fund. (Lottery Grant to most people)

This is brilliant news for the volunteers at Have Your Say as it ensures we are able to keep on producing your magazine.

As with all funding applications, a project had to be devised to extend the purpose of the voluntary work involved, and also for the grant giving body to be able to see how monies granted is to be spent.

The Project which we have called NOW & THEN is aimed at two specific age groups - the over sixties and teenagers. The reason for this is to build a better understanding, trust and respect between the two groups.

Things we have undertaken to do for the project are to provide training in a number of areas i.e. Computer Training in Desktop publishing. Creative writing. Poetry. Journalism. Interviewing techniques using traditional methods and sound recording. Design and layout of magazines, booklets etc. Website design and Photography using traditional and digital cameras.

Training will be organised into manageable sessions, over the first year and repeated in the second year with modifications that are deemed necessary.

Our plan is that we will meet up with already established groups running in the geographical area (Miles Platting, Collyhurst and Ancoats) and initially work separately with them, then introduce the two age groups to one another, break down the barriers and share their different experiences of how life is NOW for the teenagers and how it was THEN, when the older generation were younger. The aim would be to build up good relationships not just for the life of the project but also for the future.

Of course there is nothing new about ‘the generation gap’ but during the project we would be hopeful to ‘bridge that gap’ and show both age groups the positive aspects of the two groups. The older generation will learn that not all kids are bad and they are willing to listen and take seriously what the oldies are telling them. The younger generation will learn that not all pensioners are nags! And due to the experiences in life that the oldies have gone through they do have relevant and interesting stories to tell and advice to pass on.

The project starts off on the 10th May with one or two taster sessions.
You don’t have to be attending an established group; individuals would be welcome.

If you think you would like to be involved in this project please ring Kathryn Bates on 07903 223786.