(L-R) Liz Baxendine, Trina King and Nic Barkley.

NOT everyone in a hoodie is a criminal and older people use technology too according to those working to fight negative stereotypes.

Nelson’s Garin College raised $400 with a mufti day to support Goodie in a Hoodie Day in August after student Nic Barkley, a former Board of Trustees member, decided the event would be a good idea.

“Children seem to be afraid of dealing with older people until they get to know them,” says Nic.

Liz Baxendine sporting a hoodie

Liz says negative views surrounding youths in hoodies are common among older people, with those wearing hoods considered dodgy.

“You cannot tell a sausage by its skin” says Liz (pictured)

“It’s wrong to judge people in clumps”.

Adolescent Health and Development has also been working with Age Concern New Zealand on the issue.

An Age Concern Patrons Award ceremony aimed at challenging negative media representation of older people was held on October 1.

A poster designed for Youth Week (held in May) which depicted an older person and a young person doing a hongi made the shortlist for the awards.

An ad for Nintendo, titled more functions, more fun, was one of five finalists, and showed an older woman using a Nintendo DSi, which challenged beliefs that older people do not use technology.