Green Grannies

Once upon a time, retirement homes didn't exist. Elderly grew old with family and friends and were integral and valued members of society. They passed down years of skills, knowledge and stories. As much of the western world has closed elderly out of our modern everyday life we've lost their tricks of the trade. And until recently, their absence has largely gone unnoticed.

But when times get tough we suddenly miss our grandparents' depression-era know-how. Thanks to Green Grannies, a project from Oxfam's new lifestyle campaign, Good Ideas Unltd, the older generation is spreading their wise words once again; not around the kitchen table, but on YouTube. From how to get the most out of stale bread to mending clothes, these grannies know it all. This project is brilliant on many levels. It allows elderly a contemporary outlet to be relevant and respected, even in our tech-heavy, youth-obsessed culture AND encourages sustainable lifestyles. Perhaps soon we'll go beyond watching grannies on our computer screens and we'll welcome their canning, sock-darning, story-telling, re-purposing, non-car diving knowledge back into our personal lives.

-Molly Cooney-Mesker