Keeping spirits up with Generation Play

Generation Play is a care home visit programme run by many Little Pioneers nurseries. This weekly activity is very close to all our hearts because of the amazing impact it has on the children, care home residents and the wider community.

Care home residents can often suffer from loneliness. That's why it's extra important for us to stay in touch. Our nursery teams and children have found a wonderful way to bridge the gap by regularly visiting care homes. They spend time reading, engaging in various activities, and even gardening together - bringing warmth and companionship for both age groups.

Introducing Generation Play

Have you seen Channel 4’s inspirational documentary “Old people’s home for 4 year olds?” If not, it’s definitely worth a watch. The series takes place in one of the UK's biggest retirement villages. They’ve recently opened a nursery where the playmates' ages range from three to 102! The programme asks, what can the very young and the very old learn from each other? What impact does playing together have on the health and happiness of both generations?

The results are outstanding and have inspired childcare providers to build relationships with care homes, nursing homes and retirement villages. 

At Little Pioneers, our pre-schoolers have weekly visits to a local care home. A small group of children and elderly residents come together in a comfortable environment and take part in activities such as creative play, singing and movement, physical games and storytelling.

We believe mixing matters

Being socially responsible is a big part of who we are at Your Co-op Little Pioneers. We are committed to making a positive difference to our communities, and Generation Play is a great example of our values in action.

The UK has one of the biggest divides between old and young of any country in the world. Research from the Intergenerational Foundation shows that children today have a 5% chance of someone aged over 65 living in their area, compared to a 15% chance in 1991. In addition, older people are experiencing severe loneliness, which is contributing to increased anxiety and ill health. This is a situation that we want to work towards resolving – and that’s where Generation Play comes in.

Positive playmates

Spending time together has real benefits for everyone involved: 

• Children learn empathy and build confidence and social skills. They find out more about different people and different ages, gaining understanding of the world around them.

• Residents experience better physical and mental health through increased contact, activity and mobility. They are less isolated and have better confidence and wellbeing.

• The programme has wider community effects too. Families of older people benefit from their increased interaction and better health. Parents of children taking part also have the opportunity to meet new people and mix with a wider variety of ages. Teams at the care homes and our nurseries are motivated by the positive experiences. Everyone involved can shares a mutual understanding and bond.