South Bermondsey Inter-generational Project Kealy Jackson and Ben Skelton

Background Bermondsey and Rotherhithe identified as Community Cohesion Pathfinder area in 2004 Bermondsey and Rotherhithe identified as Community Cohesion Pathfinder area in 2004 Certain tensions around ethnicity, age and territory Certain tensions around ethnicity, age and territory Local Police Inspector suggested idea of Inter- generational work Local Police Inspector suggested idea of Inter- generational work

South Bermondsey Partnership Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder 2011 targets: Increased satisfaction with living in the neighbourhood Increased satisfaction with living in the neighbourhood SB area a place where neighbours look out for each other SB area a place where neighbours look out for each other Locals influencing decisions that affect the area Locals influencing decisions that affect the area People of different backgrounds getting on well with each other People of different backgrounds getting on well with each other Increase and later decrease of hate crime reporting Increase and later decrease of hate crime reporting

How we went about it: Already work closely with Ilderton Primary School Already work closely with Ilderton Primary School Identified Arundel Sheltered Housing Unit and Links Centre located nearby (South London Family Housing) Identified Arundel Sheltered Housing Unit and Links Centre located nearby (South London Family Housing) Employed experienced facilitator to run series of sessions Employed experienced facilitator to run series of sessions

Inter-generational project aims to: Strengthen community spirit Strengthen community spirit Encourage cultural exchange Encourage cultural exchange Develop interpersonal skills and promote self esteem Develop interpersonal skills and promote self esteem Introduce positive role-models to school pupils Introduce positive role-models to school pupils Stimulate learning Stimulate learning Prevent isolation of elderly Prevent isolation of elderly Encourage empathy of participants with members of the other group Encourage empathy of participants with members of the other group

Ilderton Primary School Located in South Bermondsey in the borough of Southwark, an area of high socio-economic deprivation Located in South Bermondsey in the borough of Southwark, an area of high socio-economic deprivation Over 45% free school meals, 30%+ EAL, 30%+ SEN Over 45% free school meals, 30%+ EAL, 30%+ SEN A school that believes the child is at the centre of everything A school that believes the child is at the centre of everything Children are taught a broad and creative curriculum Children are taught a broad and creative curriculum Silver Artsmark 2003, Gold Artsmark 2006, School Achievement Award 2003, Basic Skills Award 2004 and 2007 Silver Artsmark 2003, Gold Artsmark 2006, School Achievement Award 2003, Basic Skills Award 2004 and 2007 Currently in top 10 of Southwark schools (KS2 Sats 2007) Currently in top 10 of Southwark schools (KS2 Sats 2007) Currently in top 100 primary schools nationally CVA Currently in top 100 primary schools nationally CVA

Impact of the project: Increase in self-esteem and motivation Increase in self-esteem and motivation Developed children’s skills outside the classroom e.g. speaking/listening, debating, writing, ICT Developed children’s skills outside the classroom e.g. speaking/listening, debating, writing, ICT Enabled children to develop other skills e.g. interpersonal skills, emotional literacy, empathy Enabled children to develop other skills e.g. interpersonal skills, emotional literacy, empathy Developed new friendships Developed new friendships Breaking down barriers and stereotypes Breaking down barriers and stereotypes Opening up of school/Arundel Court to each other Opening up of school/Arundel Court to each other

Legacy Ongoing relationship between Ilderton and Arundel House (games afternoon!) Ongoing relationship between Ilderton and Arundel House (games afternoon!) Initiated training from Centre for Intergenerational Practice for practitioners and volunteers in area Initiated training from Centre for Intergenerational Practice for practitioners and volunteers in area Looking at larger intervention based around touring drama workshop involving, primary and secondary schools, youth providers and community groups Looking at larger intervention based around touring drama workshop involving, primary and secondary schools, youth providers and community groups