Generation that knows all about life’s ups and downs

Barbara, who lives in Sheffield and volunteers at the city’s Northern General Hospital, has also learnt a thing or two along the way, yet she suspects few would want to listen to her years of hard-won wisdom.

“Young people think they know it all, don’t they?” she says. “Maybe it’s always been that way, but when times are tough you do wonder whether those of us who have already lived through ups and downs might be able to give some practical advice.

“I was brought up never to buy anything that you couldn’t afford. There were no such thing as credit cards then, but even now I would never dream of buying anything on credit. I know that times change and every generation has different priorities, but I do think the experience of older people is often overlooked.”

Barbara is not alone. According to research carried out by WRVS, the charity through which she volunteers, the over-65s are often seen as out of touch and over the hill. Part of the problem is that about a third of 16 to 24-year-olds don’t have regular contact with anyone in their 60s, let alone 70s and 80s.

In response to the findings, which also confirmed suspicions that as people age their opinions become less respected, WRVS today launches its Nationwise campaign to help bridge the gap between generations.

The campaign’s website contains a number of short films and fact sheets on everything from coping with redundancy to cooking for a family based on the advice of those who have already been there and done it.

As part of the project, the organisation is also encouraging others to share their experiences of life.

“As a nation we are missing out on the wisdom and experience of our older generations because the distance between young and old is widening and society doesn’t take time to listen to its older members,” says , WRVS chief executive David McCullough.

“So we often treat older people as a problem to be tackled, rather than an amazing source of knowledge and inspiration. A cultural shift is long overdue and we hope we can help trigger that by sparking debate about what older people have to offer us all.”

It may take more than a new website to redress the balance, but the rise of what’s known in marketing circles as “grey power” has already begun.

With the first wave of baby boomers celebrating their 65th birthday last year, many predict this generation have the power to transform attitudes to ageing like no other before it.

These are, after all, the same people who redefined traditional values, who took to the streets to campaign for nuclear disarmament and protest against civil rights abuses.

They grew up to be the healthiest and wealthiest generation in living memory and they are not the kind to shuffle quietly off into retirement.

“People of all ages are finding it tough at the moment, but my generation has seen it all before and we know a thing or two about getting through the hard times,” says 65-year-old Cherry Thompson, another WRVS volunteer and a woman who says she knows how to get a week’s worth of meals out of one chicken.

“More often than not, we’re written off and talked about as a burden on society, but we have so much to offer younger people.

“From advice on managing when you’re not in work, budgeting and dealing with bereavement, to the secrets of a long-lasting relationship, we can help shed light on them all. Today is just the start. They say a problem shared is a problem halved and we want everyone, regardless of age, to come forward and share the advice for coping in the tough times.”

Certainly, it seems the campaigners might be onto something. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that those who are aged between 65 and 74 are among the most content in the country and when asked why that might be, there was one familiar response.

“Almost two thirds of over- 65s attribute their happiness to valuing the right things in life,” says David. “I guess that’s something the rest of us need to learn.”

To view the short film and advice fact sheets go to www.wrvs.org.uk/nationwise.