YOUNGSTERS are keen to learn “old fashioned” skills from older people as a result of living under years of austerity, according to a new report.

A study by the Royal Voluntary Service found that 18 to 24-year-olds would welcome the chance to learn how to knit, crochet, brew beer or make preserves or wooden toys.

The older people’s charity said its research revealed a new era of “make do and mend”, with renewed interest in crafts which had been written off.

It also highlighted how older people have a wealth of skills to share.

Margaret Lawford, information and advice manager with Age UK in Bradford, agrees. “We would encourage anyone who was interested to take up a skill. If anyone contacts us we can match them up. It is like role reversal – older people are learning about new technology from younger people while we teach skills like knitting and crochet.“ She cites an example of an over 50s group in Denholme which demonstrates traditional skills such as knitting to primary school children. “They could then go on to develop a love of that craft.”

She adds: “Older people are more than happy to teach those who want to learn.”

Young mums also encourage children to grow up with an interest in traditional crafts that they learned from their mothers. “They help them to make jam and marmalade and show how the taste can vary from the shop variety.”

Vicky Furness, of Harden and District WI, believes that in a ‘throwaway’ society, people are realising the importance of using skills to create something.

“They like the sense of pride that comes with it,” she said.

Royal Voluntary Service chief executive David McCullough said: “We know how much value older people place on their hobbies, but these pastimes are so much more than just fun.

“They play a really important role in the lives of older people, from staving off fragility and dementia, to helping them keep physically active and bringing friends together.

“Many of our 36,000 volunteers are over 65 and they, and the older people we support, have a wealth of experiences and skills worth sharing.”

The survey of over 2,000 people was conducted to mark an event in London in June where older people will share craft skills.

Jean Walker, chairman of Bradford Senior Power, believes that more younger people would take up traditional skills if they had more time. “It is such a fast-paced world nowadays, that they come home from work and just want to sit and relax,” she says. “And there are all the distractions of new technology. Older generations had more time to do these things.”