Children and Care Home Residents Becoming “Grandfriends”.

Across England, an increasing number of care homes are partnering with nurseries and primary schools to bring children and older residents together. They spend time reading stories, baking, gardening, playing games and simply talking.

The results are remarkable. Residents often become more engaged, less isolated and have something to look forward to each week, while children develop empathy, confidence and meaningful relationships with an older generation they might not otherwise meet.

Organisations such as Care England have highlighted these intergenerational programmes as an important way of improving wellbeing for everyone involved. Rather than being a one-off initiative, this is becoming a growing movement across the care sector.