Linking Generations NI Intergenerational Safer Communities Project Oct March 2015 Generations Working Together Stirling, 19 th March 2014

Lynn Johnston Ken Irvine Regional Development Workers: ‘Intergenerational Safer Communities Project’ Other LGNI staff: Vicki Titterington (Manager) Lynne Bennett (Regional Development Worker) Emily Park (Project Assistant)

Purpose of Presentation To tell you about our work and specifically our ‘Intergenerational Safer Communities’ Project – Background and context (how it came about) – How we are going about delivering it – Our progress and learning so far Some time for questions

LGNI is a the only organisation solely advocating the development and promotion of intergenerational practice as a catalyst for social change in Northern Ireland.

Our Approach Lobbying government Linking organisations Linking people in communities and neighbourhoods

LGNI Community safety Peace building AgeismAge friendly Current social change priorities

LGNI and Community Safety Community safety work stream has been maintained Linking Generations NI officially launched regionally in 2009 Pilot work supported by Ards and Belfast CSP

This research found that intergenerational approaches are: ‘building trust and positive perceptions of both young and old’ A ‘cornerstone of building confident communities’ ‘An effective way at neighbourhood level to tackle the most pressing community safety concerns in Northern Ireland: fear of crime and ‘anti-social’ behaviour.’ (David Ford MLA, Minister of Justice) A Review of Intergenerational Approaches to Community Safety – October 2012

‘This research shows how bringing together older and younger people to share experiences, share knowledge and develop mutual respect can make a real difference to how safe we all feel in the communities in which we live and socialise.’ (Joint statement: 2012)

Community Safety in NI The political context: 1998 The Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement 1999 The independent Commission on Policing The Patten Report 2003 Community Safety Partnerships District Policing Partnerships 2007 Sinn Fein engaged with policing 2010 Policing and Justice powers devolved 2012 Policing and Community Safety Partnerships

Policing and Community Safety Partnerships 8, 9 or 10 political members (councillors) nominated by the district council 7, 8 or 9 independent members appointed by the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) Each PCSP can also locally designate bodies which they feel can make a contribution to their work Representatives of 7 designated organisations as follows: – Police Service of Northern Ireland; – Northern Ireland Housing Executive; – Probation Board for Northern Ireland; – Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland; – Health and Social Care Trusts; – Education and Library Boards; and – Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Intergenerational Safer Communities Oct 13- Mar 15: Work programme Initiate and develop collaborative partnerships to build, support and deliver IG approaches to community safety Emphasis on working alongside PCSPs The approach… Get out and get talking – and find friends! Development work ( total of 36 hours pw) time to April 2015 Communicating/sharing/understanding others’ agenda Training sessions/workshops if appropriate Hand-holding through project development and delivery Conference in 2014/15 & publication of evaluation

Aims of the 3 workshops delivered to date Providing information about LGNI’s ‘Intergenerational Safer Communities’ project Giving those present an opportunity to reflect on the potential of all-age approaches to contribute to building safer, shared and confident communities Learning about the support that LGNI can provide organisations in developing your intergenerational practice Developing ideas to support/initiate intergenerational approaches in your PCSP area

Follow up Continued communications with those who attended workshops to develop ideas. On the ground initiatives to date include: Ballybogey project – craft group linking with primary school (initiated by PCSP member who attended workshop) Fintona – quilting/stitching group in local community house (inittiated by neighbourhood officer) Future possibilities: Youth Justice Agency referrals to gardening project which helps those who have difficulty keeping their garden. Neighbourhood officer in Craigavon wants to start project

Learning so far Participative approach is very important, at all levels Time to develop relationships and build trust is required Working at others’ pace Focus of PCSPs has been on IG projects rather than approaches - much work to be done

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