Iris* is one of our younger neighbours and attends our social action programme in East London.

*name changed

I always look forward to the workshops. It’s nice to talk to the elderly and listen to their lives and learn about them. Everyone is so nice. It’s always highlight for me when I get to see them. I’ve particularly enjoyed building a friendship with Lorna, an older person. At the workshops, I’d sit with her and we’d talk about her life. It’s fun talking to her and learning what she’s interested in.

Often we’re stuck in places where we’re with people of similar ages like school and the workplace, but if we see people from different generations and different backgrounds it opens our ideas to what life has been and what it could be. Sharing the experiences of other people can really open your mind. I think we underestimate that everyone has stuff to contribute, no matter what their age is.

Sometimes younger people see older people as stereotypically boring - they have nothing to say and nothing to do. In contrast, older people think young people just stay on their phones all day. However if you look at the kind of conversations we have during the workshops, they’re really mindful. Younger people are telling older peoplenthat this is how we interact with people nowadays and sharing with them how we use technology. Older people then share their experiences of what happened in their time and it’s really interesting. Everyone has something to say and a way to contribute.

The workshops have made me want to engage with other generations more and have shown me what’s possible. If you just give it a go and interact, you can make new friendships and do new things! I’ve definitely grown in confidence and it’s good for everyone’s mental health.