PRESS RELEASE

On May 19th 2009 Magic Me published Our Generations, a report on an exciting three year programme of intergenerational arts projects. The Our Generations programme which involved over a thousand people, took place in Tower Hamlets in East London from April 2006 to June 2009.

"The report is an interesting and lively resource for professionals interested in the fields of intergenerational work and community arts, as well as social cohesion and community capacity building,” says Programme Manager Kathryn Gilfoy. “It gives a fascinating insight into this unique programme, which provided Magic Me with the opportunity to explore new models of intergenerational work and examine existing ones in depth."

The report provides an overview of the programme followed by the findings of an independent evaluator, Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey, of Goldsmiths, University of London, who has assessed the programme throughout. She highlights the imperative to refine and develop new intergenerational practices to meet the needs of an ageing population and changing demographics.

During the 3 years of Our Generations, a variety of projects took place in a wide range of settings, from schools and community settings to people’s homes. The programme particularly emphasised new ways of working with people who are over 75, for example work in care homes with residents and their families. 1001 younger and older people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds came together to build positive relationships and alliances and learn from each other, challenging misconceptions and prejudices about their generations. The work resulted in a range of art works, exhibitions, performances, and films.

1. The Report will be launched on Monday 18th May 2009 from 3:30 - 5.30 pm at the city law firm Allen & Overy. For more information please contact .

2. The report is available from the Magic Me website as a downloadable PDF from 19th May in the Free Downloads section of the bookshop.

3. Our Generations created and provided:

• 416 workshops involving 1001 people

• 14 training sessions

• 18 events attended by a further 679 people

• A further 7 events for the end of programme celebrations

• 12 exhibitions of artwork; presentations of artwork at events including two Magic Me AGMs; exhibitions at partner venues; the creation of three DVDs; a permanent artwork, books, cushions and posters, a set of postcards and greetings cards

• Four performances were created each including original songs

• 29 Magic Me events were documented by The Media Group

• Participants visited the National Portrait Gallery, the Guardian Newsroom, Tate Modern, the Museum of Childhood and London Transport Museum.

5. Funders

The programme was funded by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, The Balance Charitable Foundation, Arts Council England, and a range of trusts and corporate sponsors. We are very grateful to all our supporters, especially Allen & Overy for hosting this event.

7. Demographics notes

The most recent census for England and Wales, taken in 2001, revealed that for the first time there are more people over 60 than there are children. On census day 1951, there were 0.2 million people aged 85 and over (0.4 per cent of the total population) in the UK. By census day 2001, this had grown to just over 1.1 million (1.9 per cent of the total population)

8. The local picture

• Tower Hamlets is the second most deprived borough in London and the third most deprived area in England:

• In 2002, 36% of the local population of pensionable age received Income Support – the highest proportion of any London Borough

• 40% of older people live alone

• Over 80% of the population of Tower Hamlets is estimated to be less than 50 years of age, with the under 20s comprising over a quarter of the population

• Tower Hamlets has the highest rate of child poverty in London.

• Commission for Racial Equality research illustrates that Tower Hamlets is a densely populated and culturally diverse area.

• Tower Hamlets has the largest proportion of any non-white ethnic group anywhere in Britain and the largest population of Muslims in London - nearly 72,000 people; a quarter of the entire Bangladeshi population in England live in Tower Hamlets