18 September 2018
On Friday 13th July Chorlton High School, in conjunction with Southway Housing, hosted an Intergenerational Question time event to strengthen the links between the local community,local professionals and local organisations; the aim was to connect generations and open up a shared dialogue.
Over 50 people attended the event, launched with a Year 7 student passionately reciting an IGNITE speech she had written about the impact of teachers and schools on all of us.
Taking a leading part in the subsequent discussions were Zoe Morris, Head Teacher, Jeff Smith MP, Mandy Shilton-Godwin, Chorlton Park Councillor and School Governor, Lindy Newns from Chorlton Voice, Jason Stone from GMFRS, Don Berry, Sandra Shaw, Millat Rakha from Old Moat NORC, exstudents and representatives from the current Whole School Council. Questions from the floor covered local government policy, issues in neighbourhoods, the needs of the different community groups and how we develop opportunities for people to meet and support each other.
Zoe Morris spoke later about the success of this community event as it had, “Enabled different generations to listen and learn from each other, recognising each other’s lived experiences and positive contributions to Chorlton. In doing so, they have challenged and explored some of the stereotypes and assumptions that exist, helping to enhance the existing sense of community that Chorlton has. The focus going into the future for the Chorlton Generations Working Together Network and its respective partners is how we harness the ideas, relationships and appetite that this event has created into sustainable and meaningful intergenerational practise across Chorlton for the longer term”.
"The event enabled different generations to listen and learn from each other."
Ms Z Morris, Headteacher
