National Older Peoples Day on the 1st of October is a national celebration of the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society and to the economy and through this start to tackle negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes.

There are no better examples for celebration than projects or activities in schools that span the generations. The Wyre Senior Forum wish to celebrate examples in the schools of Wyre and welcome opportunities to stage events involving pupils, older relatives and friends from the community.

A growing number of examples include older people mentoring or passing on their skills to pupils through sport, crafts or history; pupils helping to improve older people's understanding of modern technology. Projects can be based both in schools or by visits to community centres and libraries.

The forum is keen to show its support and are offering to donate cash prizes totalling £400 to Wyre schools judged to be the best in celebrating this day. This can be done by staging a special event associated with a current project or developing a special intergenerational activity one week either side of Older Peoples Day.

Last year 7 Primary Schools took part with 300 pupils and 150 older residents spending time together in a range of activities.

We are delighted to report that as we approach the summer holidays no less than 17 schools have signed up to take part in the challenge in 2012, 11 primary and 6 secondary schools

Primary schools include St John's and Breck in Poulton, Manor Beach and Royles Brook in Thornton Cleveleys, Shakespeare, Flakefleet and Chaucer in Fleetwood, Garstang Community , St Michaels, Nateby and St Williams in Pilling..

They are joined by Secondary Schools Hodgson Academy, Fleetwood High, Cardinal Allen , St Aidans C of E Technology College, Millfield High and Baines School.

The forum is looking forward to an exciting two weeks in October.

For more information on the Challenge or Wyre Senior Forum, please contact:
Tony Ward on 01253 855966
or tonykrysiaward@hotmail.co.uk.