CHILDREN from across Hampshire have no knowledge or interest in what their grandparents did for a living, or what they used to do before they retired, according to the results of a nationwide survey.

A poll of 1,000 young people aged five to 18 has revealed that almost half (48 percent) of all those polled in Hampshire have never spoken to their grandparents about their proudest achievements, with the majority (56 percent) saying they’d simply never thought to ask them.

More than a third admitted they didn’t know whether their grandparents have any special skills or talents, while 34 percent said they had no idea what their grandparents had done for a career.

The research, which was carried out by retirement housebuilder, McCarthy & Stone, revealed that in Hampshire, teenagers were the least likely to have talked to their grandparents about their history, or what they were like in their youth. Just 13 percent of the five to 18 year olds polled from the region said they would spend time with their grandparents to find out more about them.

This is despite the fact grandparents live just 15 minutes away for 46 percent of those surveyed of and the majority of children actually see their grandparents quite regularly. The regional survey results showed that more than one third of children see their grandparents every week and 23 percent speak to them weekly, while 15 percent see their grandparents daily.

However, it might not be the pleasure of their company they are after, with 16 percent confessing they are more likely to see their grandparents to get pocket money from them, while almost half (48 percent) bow to pressure from mum and dad, and see their gran and grandad.

However, according to the poll, the younger generation still has a lot of love for its elders. More than half in Hampshire described their grandparents as loving, friendly or kind; with 50 percent saying they were funny and 27 percent calling them clever. It seems older may mean wiser, with 48 percent saying their grandparent was good at giving advice, and 39 percent saying they were a good listener.

McCarthy & Stone’s survey was commissioned to support the launch of the housebuilder’s search for the Inspirational Generation – a national competition which aims to put the spotlight on the lives of older people, their achievements, and the ways in which they inspire the younger generation.

TV and radio personality, Gloria Hunniford is lending her support to the campaign. She said: “I absolutely love being a grandparent, and I’m incredibly lucky to have family who are forever asking lots of questions, both about my past and the things I’m up to now. I love watching their reactions when I tell them stories going back to my youth. It’s lovely to take them with me down memory lane from time to time.”

l McCarthy & Stone is anyone who knows an unsung hero to enter the Inspirational Generation search, either online at their website, or by visiting their nearest McCarthy & Stone development. The deadline for entries is April 1 and the top prize is a cheque for £2,000. Terms and conditions can also be found online.