1. Welcome and introductions – Delyth Jewell MS

DJ welcomed the group members and noted that Global Intergenerational Week was held in the weeks before.

DJ placed her thanks on record for JH’s work on setting up the group and taking forward actions. DJ thanked Michelle Lewis from the Older People’s Commissioner’s office for her contributions to the group.

Kathryn Morgan, David McKinney, Lois Peach and Sandy Clubb introduced themselves to the group as new members.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The group approved the minutes.

3. Global Intergenerational Week 2022 – Mirain Llwyd Roberts, Gwynedd Council

MLlR thanked the group for all their contributions to promote and get involved with Global Intergenerational Week. She noted that the Welsh Government has set up a page on their website on intergenerational issues and launched 7 videos in partnership across Wales. MLlR showed the group a video featuring group member Laraine Bruce and will share the playlist with the group.

She highlighted the push for a social media campaign over the week and there has been a really good reach – there was also a webinar on the Thursday about sharing skills between generations and sustainability. She noted that one event has had to be postponed until mid-June – MLlR will share the date.

She noted that CADR has also launched a national photography competition for people to enter, which will be featured in a calendar and in a Senedd exhibition later in the year.

JH noted the work that the Older People’s Commissioner did through the week and that a joint statement had been published with the Older people’s, Children’s and Future Generations’ commissioners and with DJ to show the importance of intergenerational solidarity.

SG also shared that MLlR had interviewed her for a podcast as part of the week, which she will share with the group.

DJ urged members to share the photo competition with as many people as possible.

4. Climate Change and the Circular Economy – Phoebe Brown, Repair Cafe Wales

PB highlighted the intergenerational nature of the work already underway with Repair Café and the need to improve the intergenerational approach to climate change. PB asked if any group members would want to form a sub-group to look at this issue in particular – a lot of climate change projects are looking to diversify so its important to bring in different voices.

DR noted that there is a connection to the cost of living crisis and the need to retrofit homes with insulation and other energy efficiencies, which would also generate employment.

DJ added that the narrative in the cost of living crisis and climate change often pits generations against each other.

JH updated the group that members of the Wales Youth Parliament have expressed interest in joining the group and are likely to be interested in taking this forward.

SC noted the interest from the CPG on wellbeing and climate/energy crises and an opportunity to work together – she noted a report on decarbonisation that the Future Generations Commissioner has published.

Catrin Hedd Jones shared: https://theconversation.com/investing-in-warmer-housing-could-save-the-nhs-billions-82196

If anyone would like to get involved in the subgroup, please email Phoebe: phoebe@repaircafewales.org

5. Update on Homeshare Pilot in Wales – Kathryn Morgan, Shared Lives Plus

KM highlighted that Shared Lives Plus have been provided with funding by the Welsh Government to establish 3 home share projects in Wales. She outlined the purpose of Share Lives Plus and some of the research they had done to consider where to establish programmes.

She noted that 2 pilots have been established so far – project in Swansea will be focusing on enabling people to stay in their own homes longer, have companionship and gain digital skills. The pilot in Swansea will only need 26 older people to be a sustainable project – so far had interest from 3 individuals to be involved. She added that they are hoping to work with local media to raise awareness.

The second pilot will be in Pembrokeshire – there has been a coordinator established already and working to begin presentations and set up a steering group. She added that they want their third pilot to be in north Wales and are looking at Conwy given its large population of people aged over 65.

KM asked whether the group could share information with networks to raise awareness and if there are any other people who may be interested in hearing from them.

DJ asked whether there could be a way to find out directly from participants about how things are going? KM noted that she has recruited a new ambassador who has ‘homeshared’ on 3 or 4 occasions and would be able to come and speak to the group.

Anyone interested in speaking with Kathryn can get in touch at: kathryn@sharedlivesplus.org.uk

6. Work of CADR and future recruitment strategy – Amy Murray, Swansea University

DM noted that Amy is not able to attend today and to note her apologies. Someone will come to the next meeting to update.

7. Any other business

DJ asked the group whether to cancel the meeting in July and holding the next meeting in September with members of the Youth Parliament then able to attend. The group agreed.

MLlR shared information about a webinar on celebrating intergenerational research on 20^th June. Email Mirain to register: mirainllwydroberts@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

SG highlighted a Social Policy Association conference held in Swansea between 6-8 July with a theme of intergenerationally. Further information is available here: http://www.social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/conference-2/

DR noted that many of his members are having to choose between heating or eating. He added that many older people are anxious about getting into debt and concerned about increased debt being placed on people.

SE raised worked that Ready Generations has been doing around the sustainability goals and that lots of older people want to engage with and have a say in their children and grandchildren’s futures. She noted some of the ideas that have come forward from older people to help everyone save money including mending clothes, better ways of using ovens and washing machines.

DM noted that the cost of living is also impacting on loneliness and isolation – children in deprived areas are more likely to be lonely as children and then that carries into adulthood. DM is looking at developing a cost of living survey and could include questions about attitudes to cost of living and generations. DM will keep the group updated on it.

DR added that in his role as a school governor he has been dealing with the issues referred to for a long time – he invited members to see what the schools does to support children. He suggested people can contact the acting Headteacher if interested. Paul Davies can be contacted at DaviesP151@hwbmail.net

LJ noted her background in undertaking poverty research and that one of the key groups she had looked at before was single women over 50. She offered to work with DR on this. She added that one of the things that is being highlighted by older people is access to NHS dentistry. SG noted that this is an issue that affects people of all ages.

8. Generations – Does when you’re born shape who you are? - Professor Bobby Duffy

BD provided a PowerPoint presentation on the research he has conducted on generations.

MC asked whether differing modes of communication exacerbate perceived gaps between generations and whether societies with more intergenerational living have less of a problem with this?

BD noted that younger people have always sought to separate themselves from their parents and grandparents, but the speed and scale of the way digital technology has shaped communities is a new aspect to it. He noted that people can be present in a room but not in discussions or in a community. He noted that it is important to separate out connections within and outside of the household – parents and grandparents are spending more time with their children now and that kids feel closer to their parents than they did in the past but has become very nuclear experience with a loss of wider connection to others. He added that if you have resources, the nuclear family works well, but if you don’t have it then you struggle without a wider network of support.

DJ noted a debate in the Senedd on the cost of a school day and the wider impact that has on children’s friendships or loneliness, including the impact that financial struggles for parents can have on their children.

SG asked about the labels and language used to describe different groups and the impact it has.

BD noted that ‘myths’ was added to the title of the book in the US as they have moved on to talk about the damage that these labels might be doing. He noted that they are often lazy and untrue – he highlighted the idea that young people are materialistic but that this is something that repeats with each generation. He added that there are some academics that call to remove the labels but he maintained their use to track the issue that affect people because of when they were born rather than their age. He suggested that it is better to contribute good research rather than give up on this issue.

DJ noted that sometimes ‘silly’ myths can lead to more damaging opinions. She asked whether that is the same everywhere?

DB noted that it is common across different countries for different cliches to exist – there is some victim blaming psychology behind it where people think that the failings of a group are down to their character rather than the context they live in. He noted that there are positive connections between generations despite the context but it just needs more support.