To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to (a) increase intergenerational funding opportunities and (b) find ways to encourage funding bodies to invest more in intergenerational projects.
The Scottish Government recognises the positive contribution older people make to their communities and recognises the value in bringing generations together. We aim to enable better access to a range of services for older people as and when they need them. We want to ensure people are financially secure and supported as they age.
Through our Equalities and Human Rights Fund, we are investing over £2.2 million in support of older people’s organisations and age equality projects that deliver positive outcomes for older people. Generations Working Together (GWT) were offered £615,250 over three years through the Equality and Human Rights Fund. GWT is the nationally recognised centre of excellence supporting the development and integration of intergenerational work across Scotland. This funding aimed to tackle ageism through intergenerational activity across Scotland and to increase understanding and learning around the field of intergenerational practice.
Generations Working Together are key stakeholders in our Older people’s Strategic Action Forum (OPSAF) and the Social Isolation and Loneliness Advisory Group (SIALAG).
In addition, our Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund of £3.8m which was launched in 2023 over 3 years, supports intergenerational projects. Over the past year 2929 older people and 400 young people have benefitted from the services provided by the funded projects.