Beeches Community Board funding will help bridge the generation gap

Stronger links will be forged between younger and older generations in the Burnham area as a result of the Beeches Community Board’s decision at its latest meeting to fund a project increasing communication and combating isolation.

Subgroups tasked with finding ways to support older and vulnerable people, as well as young people, recommended the pilot project for funding by the Community Board. It is a collaboration between Burnham Resilience CIO, St Peter’s School, Burnham Health Promotion Trust (BHPT) and elderly people living in Burnham to encourage younger and older generations to write letters or send puzzles to each other regularly.

The Community Board’s commitment will meet the costs of writing paper, envelopes and postage for 30 children and 30 older people. If successful the project will be expanded to other schools and areas, linking with the established Burnham Intergenerational Programme, which in usual times runs ‘in person’ visits and events.

Cllr David Anthony, Chair of the Beeches Community Board, said: “This wonderful project will help to bridge the gap between younger and older residents. Like many of the best ideas, it’s a simple but effective way to make a world of difference to those involved. I’m looking forward to hearing how the project progresses in its aim to improve the lives of two groups most affected by the pandemic.”

Paula Prince from Burnham Resilience, co-founders of the Pen-Pal project, said: “We’re delighted that the Community Board is supporting our project, which will potentially make such a difference to everyone involved, in a safe way during the current COVID-19 restrictions which are affecting us all so much.”

The meeting on 17 February also reviewed the board’s action plan and progress so far and considered what it could do differently in future. Attendees heard an update from its Infrastructure and Highways sub-group, a petition about parking issues around Burnham Beeches and discussed budgets.

The Beeches Community Board covers the Burnham, Dorney, Farnham Royal, Stoke Poges and Taplow town and parish areas. Find out more about the Beeches Community Board on Facebook, by visiting www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-boards or by emailing beechescb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk