YOUNG AND OLD will learn from each other thanks to a £29,000 grant secured by a Moray youth charity.

The Elgin Youth Development Group (EYDG) has secured the funding from the Change Group – a Scottish Government body that was set up to look out for the interests of older residents in Scotland.

Part of the funding is to be used to employ a full-time ‘inter-generational’ worker while the remainder will be used for courses or events that will allow young people and pensioners to come together.

A launch event is set to take place at the Elgin Youth Café on Wednesday where the group will invite ideas on how best to use the funds. Development manager for the Café – which is run by the EYDG – is Fiona Birse, who said: “We have already been offering computer courses where our young volunteers help pensioners to learn how to use the internet.

“We can also run cooking classes that may be of help to both young and old – those with culinary experience can pass on tips to youngsters, and older people who have been widowed and have little experience in the kitchen can come along to learn too.”

Gardening projects are also on the agenda as are sessions for retired people to help children with their school homework.

The open morning is to be held at the Elgin Youth Café from 10.30 until 12.30 on Wednesday with taster sessions on offer.