28th July 2010

DORCHESTER: Helping create positive images of young people

by Paul Crompton

MEMBERS of Dorchester Youth and Community Centre have been breaking the negative stereotype of young people by organising and hosting a special event.

The group of young people, known as the Positive Images Group, organised an “intergenerational day” to improve relations and perceptions between the age groups.

Both young and old enjoyed activities including giant Jenga, hula hoping, skipping, jacks, playing on the Nintendo Wii and barn dancing.

One of the organisers, Josh James, 18, said: “We often read and hear in the media about negative images of young people. We feel that this has created an impression that all young people are antisocial and unapproachable.

“We want to run events to help get rid of this stereotype and, more importantly, make ties in local communities between all age groups.”

The event was put on with the help of Dorset’s Partnership for Older People’s Project (POPP) and Age Concern.

Dorchester county councillor Trevor Jones, said he was apprehensive going to the event knowing it was “clearly not going to be like another council committee meeting”.

“It was a new and different experience for me. I tried new things, like playing on the Wii, and, once the ice was broken, found it very easy in to interact with everybody both young and old,” he said.

Wendy Hilton, 58 of Dorchester said: “It was lovely meeting different people – both young and old.

“Each age group has an impression of the other because they don’t spend any time together.

“We don’t do enough shared activities and it’s a pity there aren’t more opportunities for people of all ages to get together.”

The Positive Images Group is now planning on holding similar events across the county.

PICTURE: From left George Cunningham, Wendy Hilton, Douglas Mair, Sophie Richards and John Batres play giant Jenga