Bridging The Gap

Written By : Simon Fanshawe

Narrated By : Simon Fanshawe

Published By : BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Runtime : 28 minutes

Categories : British
Non Fiction

Price : $4.99

Buy Now...

Simon Fanshawe visits an ambitious community project in ‘Bridging The Gap’.

The gap in question is the cavernous void between young and old which breeds mistrust and anxiety.

Pat Stewart and Rob Burley run the ‘On The Streets’ project in Gorton, Manchester. Their aim is to develop in the young teenagers a sense of their community, and show them there is more to life than spiralling from ASBO to serious crime.

In the programme the 15 and 16 year-olds talk frankly about a life which they feel has little to offer them – with few or no facilities, threats from gangs, and nothing to occupy their time.

The programme attends an events day run by Pat and Rob at the Angel Community Centre where one highlight is the hand massage session which not only gives the over-60’s a chance to relax and enjoy a bit of pampering, but more importantly a chance for young and old to talk and exchange stories from their very different lives.

The campaign itself has won awards for breaking down barriers and helping to develop communication and common interest across generations, and Pat and Rob are determined to ‘take young people out of the thug-mode and elderly people out of the victim-mode’. 

As one of the documentary’s producers, Tamsyn Challenger, says, ‘To hear a 14 year old talking about 80 year old Lou on his estate is heartening when there is little positive coverage of 14 year old Manchester lads living in depressed areas.’

Other titles you may be interested in

Eyewitness 1920 - 1929 Written By : Various Narrated By : Various Published By : BBC Audiobooks Ltd Runtime : 3 hours 40 minutes Categories : 20th Century Social & Economic British Non Fiction Price : $22.25 Presents the history of the Twentieth Century, based on contemporary accounts of events as they happened, using BBC Archives. Presented in 10 episodes as a unique oral history. One for each decade... More info...

Sceptred Isle 4: Elizabeth I to Cromwell - 1547-1660, This Written By : Christopher Lee Narrated By : Anna Massey Published By : BBC Audiobooks Ltd Runtime : 3 hours Categories : Non Fiction British Pre 1900 Price : $22.25 Lee's history of Britain provides the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation. From foreign invasions and war to economic crises and social revolution... More info...

Sceptred Isle 3: The Black Prince to Henry V - 1327-1547, This Written By : Christopher Lee Narrated By : Anna Massey Published By : BBC Audiobooks Ltd Runtime : 3 hours Categories : Non Fiction British Pre 1900 Price : $22.25 The story of Britain from the arrival of Julius Caesar in 55BC to the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, specially written for BBC Radio 4 by Christopher Lee, narrated by Anna Massey More info...

Sceptred Isle 10: The Age of Victoria - 1837-1901, This Written By : Christopher Lee Narrated By : Anna Massey Published By : BBC Audiobooks Ltd Runtime : 3 hours Categories : Non Fiction British Pre 1900 Price : $22.25 Lee's history of Britain provides the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation. From foreign invasions and war to economic crises and social revolution... More info...