LEARNING LINKS, a Newport scheme set up in 2002 to embrace isolated members of the community, has been recognised in a national awards ceremony.

The scheme was launched by Charter Housing, now a member of the Seren Group.

Learning Links builds bridges between the young and the old. The project, which started in the Pill district, matches the skills and experience of older members of the community with the interests of younger people. The activities have included cooking, sewing and IT skills.

Bron Lloyd, Charter's community initiative manager, said: "Learning Links was designed to identify specialist knowledge, skills and experience among older, retired members of the community and introduce them to younger members.

"Through the introduction of these groups, common interests were developed. This increased the younger people's knowledge, life skills and self-esteem, and gave the older people an outlet for their talents and commitment."

Beating 50 other candidates, the scheme won the Outstanding Achievement in Wales accolade at the UK Housing Awards.

Charter Housing director Kathryn Edwards said: "This project created a win-win situation for members of the community who are too often portrayed as being at opposite ends of the spectrum."

One of the Learning Links featured Pantycelyn sheltered complex, and local secondary school, St Albans.

Every fortnight tenants at Pantycelyn play host to a bus-load of 16-year-olds to exchange skills, experience and gossip.

The youngsters are not the usual head girl/head boy-type paragons, but the ones with a reputation for being difficult and often under threat of exclusion.

Their teacher, Sheila Cameron, who accompanies them to Pantycelyn, said she now sees them differently.

"I see a completely different side to these children when they are taking part in Learning Links. The benefits are immeasurable."

The content of the fortnightly sessions is planned at meetings between tenants, pupils and the teacher.

Up to now activities have included IT skill swapping in the computer lounge, knitting and craft skills, making cards and newsletters, practising job interviews, gardening and cooking.

Seventy-nine-year-old Pat Leggett says she used to think young people were a bit of a "pain in the butt" until she met the St Alban's crowd.

"I feel more positive now. I don't assume a young person in a baseball cap is bad news."