Building Bridges 2 Programme
The Building Bridges 2 Programme was adapted from the Quality Circle Time Model,
devised by Jenny Mosley for use in primary schools (www.circle-time.co.uk ). In Leeds,
an Intergenerational Resource Pack was developed by Penny Vine (in 2003) to link
Circle Time to the KS2 National Curriculum.
During a consultation in 2003, older people expressed the view that better relationships
with the younger people in their communities would improve the quality of life for
everyone.
Using Quality Circle Time as the main vehicle of learning, a Building Bridges 2 pilot
project was run over seven weeks, involving a group of Year 7 students and older
people. The facilitators of the pilot were instructed in Circle Time methods and
philosophy by a trainer, accredited by Jenny Mosley.
The Building Bridges 2 programme aims to increase empathy and acceptance across
the generations, and to support secondary schools and older people in working together.
It is designed to help the schools meet the Curriculum 2000 framework and national
guidelines for personal, social and health education and the QCA guidance on
citizenship. The programme adapts a successful KS2 approach for use in KS3, and
helps secondary schools meet the Leeds Healthy Schools Standard.
Each intergenerational Circle Time session takes about one hour, with the potential for
further development within the wider curriculum. The structure of the programme can be
adapted to meet the needs of the pupils and older people taking part, but mainly focuses
on relationships, self-awareness, empathy and care for self and others.
Throughout the course of the Building Bridges and Building Bridges 2 programmes, sixty
primary and twelve secondary school staff have been trained to deliver the work, with
the aim that they will be able to deliver their own Building Bridges sessions. Evaluation
has shown that this is a successful programme that meets its aims.
Outcomes
Communities
C3
Improved perceptions of young and old people.
C5
Improved skills of local organisations and communities.
C6
Improved use of educational institutions and community facilities.
C12 Increased meaningful interactions between people from different backgrounds.
Young People
YI
Improved perceptions of young people by older people.
Y2
Improved relationships with older people.
Y4
Young people engaged in volunteering.
Y5
Young people developed healthier lifestyles.
© Beth Johnson Foundation 2009
Y9
Y18
Young people improved their self-esteem/ self-confidence.
Improved emotional health of children.
Older People
OI
Improved perceptions of older people by young people.
O2
Improved relationships with young people.
O3
Reduced sense of isolation and consequent improvements in health and
wellbeing.
O5
Older people learnt new skills.
O7
Older people feel valued.
O8
Older people more engaged with their communities.
NI Correlations
NI 01 Improved relationships between people from different backgrounds in their local
area.
NI 05 Improved overall/general satisfaction with local area.
NI 23 Promoted strong communities where people in the area treat each other with
dignity.
NI 50 Improved emotional health of children.
NI 110 Young people participated in positive activities.
NI 119 Improved health and wellbeing of older people.
Case Study
© Beth Johnson Foundation 2009