THE generation gap was bridged when young people interviewed the town’s senior citizens to learn and share about their experiences of life.

A unique project brought the two generations together to produce a short film entitled My Story.

It was co-ordinated by Harmony Youth Project.

Charlie Barratt, project manager of Halliwell-based Harmony, said: “This project has been one of Harmony’s favourites because of the enjoyment from both the youngsters and the elders.

“The young people visited different locations and community centres to do the interviews which Age UK had arranged.

“The young people saw old photographs of Bolton, old coins and Bolton Wanderers memorabilia. They found it really fascinating.”

He added: “For the young people, it put their lives in perspective, because sometimes they think they have it very hard, but after talking to the senior citizens they realised it is not as hard.

“They have far more opportunities today, but the older generation said there were no drugs and no teenage pregnancy in their day and the young people face more issues today.

“I think both groups saw each other in a different light, the young people were very respectful and loved doing the project.

“I think the older people who sometimes have negative views of young people saw them in a different light.”

Young people found that people used to queue to use the public phone box and that medical care had improved immeasurably with people no longer having to pay weekly to have access to a family doctor.

Kurtis Jones, aged 15, said: “I was totally amazed at some of the stories. It was really enlightening to hear what some people have been through.”

The project, which was awarded £1,500, was part of the Ambition for Ageing Project funded by the CVS by Bolton at Home and Age UK. It was supported by the Rotary Club of Bolton.

Watch the film here at harmonyyouthproject.co.uk.