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