Mission have teamed up with Lorraine Kelly and Genes Reunited to launch a campaign that urges Britain’s youngsters to spend more time with their grandparents so their stories and memories are not lost. Titled ‘Every Family Has A Story’, Lorraine has been keen to integrate the generations as research shows that 15 million people see their grandparents less than once a year and so risk losing the opportunity to really understand their heritage.
The survey, commissioned by the family history site, also found that 61 per cent of people actually enjoy listening to their grandparents’ stories, which contradicts the stereotype of the younger generation being disinterested in their elders’ tales.
Lorraine said: “It’s so important to talk to our relatives and find out what their lives were like, because it’s part of our lives, where we are from and what makes us what we are today. Everyone’s family has got a story to tell. I really regret that I didn’t sit down with my grandfather and talk to him about his war experiences because I’ve not got the chance to do that now so it so important to get these stories while we still can.”
Lorraine launched a call to action with the release of her own video that shares her stories of ancestry and the impact it has had on her life.
The campaign, now live on the genesreunited.co.uk dedicated YouTube channel, is giving people the opportunity to showcase their own short videos of their elders recounting their incredible stories. Lorraine has also produced a ‘how to’ video that advises participants on how to create their own video with interview tips and prompts. For those who are unable to make their own video, Lorraine details how to start up a family tree on Genes Reunited as another means of learning about a family’s past, see:
