HARROW'S Trans-Age Project, promoted by the Partnership with Older People (Pops) is looking for volunteers.

The joint venture, headed by Harrow Council, Age Concern and Harrow Association for Voluntary Service (Havs), comes from a government initiative called Better Government for Older People.

The project is aimed at addressing the segregation of older and younger people, helping the two generations relate to each other rather than seeing themselves as separate communities.

The Trans-Age Project, which has been running for three years, needs older volunteers to help with literacy in schools in Kenton and South Harrow. English is not the first language for many children in these schools, and they need additional help with reading, comprehension and writing.

The project is looking for people aged over 50 who have time to give to the project during weekdays. It offers an opportunity to bring a lifetime's skills to a generation that could do with help from those with such experience.

Volunteers can also help children with other skills, such as numeracy, arts and crafts, sewing, cooking, computers or languages.

The Trans-Age Project also gives young people an opportunity to help older people, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and the Millennium Volunteers.

Young people taking part in the project can visit Harrow's three day centres, sheltered housing and residential homes, where they can play board games and cards with older people, read newspaper articles to them, help them to use computers, or watch sport and current affairs on television.

If you are over 50 and would like to volunteer to work in Harrow schools, Trans-Age asks you to commit yourself to a a one- or two-hour session a week during term time for a minimum of six months. This is to ensure continuity, giving the children involved a chance to get to know and trust you.

For more information, contact the project at the Harrow Voluntary Services Centre, The Lodge, 64 Pinner Road, Harrow, HA1 4HZ (020 8863 8401, trans_age@hotmail.com).