Published: Sunday, 14th March, 2010 2:00pm

Generations working together

by Shakila Barabhuiya

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THE logo for a new project to promote relations between young and old people was unveiled at a school in Reading.

Generations Together was launched with fanfare at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School on Friday 5 following a workshop between pupils and people from Age Concern.

Reading was one of only 12 areas in England to secure £125,000 of Government funding designed to break down the barriers between the generations. Partners in the project include Reading Borough Council, Age Concern Berkshire and the Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership.

A team of performing arts ambassadors from the school met with older people to discuss the topic of young and old age. The group captured their thoughts on paper and their designs were showcased at Friday's launch

Tahira Matthews, 14, who took part in the workshop, said: "It was quite an eye-opener for me because I don't normally talk to older people. It was good to get their thoughts. I enjoy art so designing the logo was a fun thing for me to do." Rebecca Crawford, 12, said the colours of the logo worked well together.

Speaking at the launch project leader Lorna Southwood said: "It's truly an inspirational logo that captures the essence of our campaign. We are all people, young or old and we all feel the same things. It's really about making people aware of this."

Borough children's services leader Cllr John Ennis said: "There's a little bit of a fear about what young people are about and this project has broken down those barriers. It's just what the area needs."

There will be at least 20 inter-generational projects over the next 18 months covering arts and music, sport and leisure and community development.