TWO young highflyers have set out to bridge the generation gap by forging friendships between local teens and the elderly – and are looking for care homes to take up their services.


Rosie Mercer, 14, and Lauren Elder, 16, both members of the Epping Air Cadets, have co-founded ‘Back Chat’ – a project to provide a network of support and friendship for their older neighbours.


The pair have so far organised four cadet visits to Wheelers Farm Gardens, North Weald, and have written to 13 further homes around Epping in the hope of reaching out to more elderly communities.


Rosie, of Lower Swaines, Epping, is a pupil of St John’s C of E School. She said: “I have always wanted to have more to do with the elderly because I generally just think they’re quite sweet. But I think older people have the thought that all teenagers are bad."

The young volunteers, who are aged between 13 and 19, spend their visits chatting with residents and serving hot drinks and biscuits.

“Some cadets I have to drag there, but then they really enjoy coming – they’re really surprised. One came up to me and seemed shocked that older people have a sense of humour," said Rosie.


Lauren, who lives in North Weald and is a pupil of Leventhorpe School in Sawbridgeworth, added: “I feel it’s important for the ‘cadet and elderly’ bond to progress as it means so much to me, to see those who were once our age appreciated by the younger generation.”


The duo is also on the lookout for a celebrity patron to lend his or her backing to the scheme - and are hoping television presenter Bradley Walsh will take up the role.


“He’s known by young and old and he’s local, so he’d be perfect,” added Rosie.

For more information about Lauren and Rosie’s mission visit their blog .

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