Days Geen By

Overview

The aim was to bring a better understanding and empathy between generations, and an interest in a different way of life. Interviews were recorded and copies were given to all who took part, and archived in the county library. In the first project the interviews were edited and copied to CD, with accompanying booklet providing information and archive photos. It is hoped that the project will be on-going.

One important feature of the project was the interview training, where young people practised interviewing one another. Similar projects have run here over the past ten years, in the shape of memory boards. The added dimension of audio recordings make valuable social history easier to document and archive, and also more accessible.

Four young people (14-15) from Stromness Academy and six older people (65-90) from Stromness Eventide Club were involved. The young people met weekly over 6 weeks, visiting the Eventide club twice; one morning for interviews and chat, and again at the end of the project to present the completed CDs, when they stayed for a cuppa and discussion. During the course of the project, they visited the local radio station to discuss interview techniques which they practised together. The remaining 2 weeks involved research, editing and pulling together the CDs and accompanying booklet.

The project was managed by Voluntary Action Orkney, in partnership with Stromness Academy

Benefits for the Community

  • Community enriched by archiving of the project – without recording these memories, personal histories, and a way of life would be lost
  • Reduced barriers between the generations

Benefits for the Younger People

  • An increase in knowledge and understanding about Orkney’s past, and what it was like being their age during the war.
  • Increase interview and research skills.
  • Increase confidence

Benefits for the Older People

  • Better relations between generations
  • An opportunity to share stories, meet young people and to have a copy of the finished project.
  • Enjoyment

Evaluation

The Youth Development worker wrote up reflections on the project immediately after completion and amended the template for future projects. The young people also undertook an evaluation handbook as part of their school work.

The most important lesson arising from the interviews included adjusting the line of questioning, to follow the conversation, this would lead to more interesting results.

This project contributes to the Scottish National Performance Framework (NPF)

Scottish NPF Objectives

The main NPF objectives that this project contributes to is:

  • Smarter will focus on improving literacy, numeracy and attainment and on raising and realising ambition for all.
  • Healthier will enable people to live longer and healthier lives

These NPF objectives could also apply:

*Safer and Stronger aims to help local communities to flourish and become stronger, safer places to live.

Scottish NPF Outcomes

Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens: To enable children, young people and (subsequently) adults to thrive from an early age, and make a positive contribution in the 21st century.

We live longer, healthier lives: Securing longer healthier lives for the people of Scotland will always be a top priority for governments and individuals alike. There are significant challenges which can only be addressed by everyone in Scotland working together, pursuing this goal through improving lifestyles and life circumstances, and a shared ownership of an effective NHS.

Our people are able to maintain their independence as they get older, and are able to access appropriate support when they need it: Providing high quality care and support to an ageing population is a fundamental principle of social justice and is an important hallmark of a caring and compassionate society. Collectively we need to give priority to ensuring that older people receive the care, compassion, support and dignity they need and deserve.

We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others: Being part of a strong community gives us the support we need locally. It minimises crime, antisocial behaviour and their social and economic costs.