The London Development Agency has awarded £1.5 million in funding to a new ‘intergenerational centre’ providing services to older people, children and young Londoners in Merton.
Services on offer will include IT facilities and training, reading sessions, arts, crafts and drama sessions and a variety of sports and games.
Expected to open in mid-2009 the centre is aimed at breaking down barriers between different groups in the community and improving social cohesion.
Announcing the funding package Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said he wanted the centre to be “a resource for all age groups, old and young, for families and for individuals.”
The funding was welcomed by the Leader of Merton Council, Councillor David Williams who said the council was “delighted to have been selected by the London Development Agency to be the site for this exciting initiative which will attract widespread interest.”
Cllr WIlliams said the centre would be established in one of the borough’s most deprived areas “where the Council has already committed significant resources to improve outcomes for children and adults” adding that organisers “are committed to establishing a centre of excellence for intergenerational work”.
