Linking Generations Northern Ireland

This Northern Ireland Initiative promotes and supports the development of Intergenerational Practice (IP) across the region by providing opportunities for older and younger people to meet and learn from each other. It is funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Community Safety Unit of Northern Ireland Department of Justice. Additional funding by Belfast Community Safety Partnership, Belfast City Council and Ards Community Safety Partnership has supported a small grant programme in each of these Council areas. The Initiative is managed by the Beth Johnson Foundation. Current funding ends in July 2011.

Intergenerational Practice has a long history in Northern Ireland. The wide ranging focus of the intergenerational projects and programmes developed reflects the applicability of IP to a wide range of social and public policy agendas. These include community safety, education, health and urban and neighbourhood renewal and community development. IP can also add substance to campaigns on issues such as support for carers, poverty and social exclusion as they adversely impact on younger and older people

The broad aims of the Linking Generations Initiative are to promote intergenerational solidarity by:

  • Raising awareness of the nature and purpose of IP
  • Working in partnership with organsiations to develop IP
  • Providing training and support for those wishing to engage in IP
  • Managing a small grant programme for IP projects
  • Promoting the annual European Union Day of Solidarity Between Generations, 29 April
  • Planning for the proposed European Union Year of Positive Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity
  • Identifying further grant funding to provide sustainability after July 2011

Further Information can be obtained by contacting:

Linking Generations Northern Ireland
40 West Street, BT23 4EN Newtownards
Northern Ireland
+44 (028) 9181 3022