SOUTHAMPTON youngsters have been helping the city’s elderly residents combat loneliness.

As part of Loneliness Awareness Week and the Jo Cox Great Get Together Southampton City Council has highlighted its free junior neighbourhood warden scheme that is helping local elderly residents to get out of social isolation.

From looking at faded photos to posting new snaps on Facebook; old and young are busy sharing experiences and swapping skills at Weston Court.

Once a fortnight at Weston Court pensioners and members of the council junior neighbourhood wardens scheme, open to seven to 12-year-olds, get together for an evening of fun and laughter that spans the generations, to help break down barriers, combat loneliness and promote understanding and tolerance

between the different age

groups.

Anyone over 60 living in the local community can join in the free activities which include trips out, games, quizzes, arts and crafts, cooking and using new technology. The young people attending are all members of the council run Junior Neighbourhood Warden scheme, which is open to seven to 12-year-olds.

Cllr Warwick Payne, from the city council, said “It’s all about getting out and having fun and both age groups certainly do that. “With growing isolation and loneliness reported among our nation’s older residents, it is important that we support activities like these that encourage understanding, pass along useful knowledge and bring a smile to everyone’s faces.”

John Ansell, 72, from Weston Court said “It’s given me a new outlook on life and I’ve got more tolerance now for young people.“ I really enjoy telling the children stories from the past and in turn it’s great to learn new skills from them.”

According to the city council the scheme helps older people feel more active, less prone to depression and more hopeful for the future. It also reduces isolation and loneliness, provides young and old to learn new skills and helps children to understand and accept their own ageing and enabling them to learn first-hand about history.

Future activities include gardening, a minibus trip and a summer party. To get involved with the sessions are held every other Thursday between 6 and 8pm at Weston Court. Contact the activity co-ordinator team on 023 8091 5131 or email activity.coordinators@southampton.gov.uk