Research reveals the sustained impact of Intergenerational Linking between schools and care homes

From 2019-2023, My Home Life England, which is part of the School of Health & Medical Sciences at City St George’s, University of London, led the pioneering social action project Care Home Friends and Neighbours: Intergenerational Linking.

The initiative linked together more than 4,000 young people aged 5–14 from schools and youth groups with over 2,000 older adults living in care homes across England. It was delivered in partnership with The Linking Network and a network of 11 local organisations.

With at least 230 schools and care homes taking part, it was the largest intergenerational project of its kind. It bridged generational divides, boosted wellbeing and brought friendship, purpose and joy to communities across England.

Eighteen months after the original funded project ended, follow-up research from My Home Life England reveals sustained engagement between schools and care homes, development and embedding of the Intergenerational Linking model, and the long-term value of intergenerational connections in social care and education settings.

Key Findings

• Widened reach

My Home Life England interviewed seven of the local organisations and all continue to deliver Intergenerational Linking, with about 50% of the original school-care home partnerships still active. This is despite the fact that, for the majority of organisations, Care Home FaNs: Intergenerational Linking was their first time delivering intergenerational work. Beyond maintaining the existing relationships, brand new partnerships between schools and care homes have emerged, extending the project’s impact to new audiences.

“There’s an appetite from care homes and there’s been appetite from schools… loads of schools wanted to get involved.”

• Enhanced impact

The original project took place through the COVID-19 pandemic and so face-to-face connections were limited. With the easing of restrictions, interactions have shifted from virtual to face-to-face, fostering deeper and more meaningful relationships. Simple, person-led activities linked to seasonal events make an easy starting point. Sessions designed as a shared experience between younger and older people continue to be the most effective, as they invite conversation and working towards a common goal.

“You have a different conversation when you’re doing something together, or making something together. It’s that reciprocity and equality which is really important. There’s a bond and connection and joy that comes from working together. A connection between the younger and older person – a shared interest.”

• Supporting institutional priorities

Intergenerational activities have been cited as evidence of quality and good practice in Care Quality Commission reports, Ofsted inspections and Religious Education frameworks, further recognising their impact and embedding them into the lives of schools and care homes. Many of the local organisations have successfully gained additional funding for intergenerational work and have also incorporated intergenerational practice into their organisations’ visions, emphasising its strategic importance.

“The tangible benefits to older people are enormous and very obvious. Linking with younger people provides that connection, that kind of anti-loneliness, that’s so important. As an organisation that is dedicated to supporting older people’s mental and physical wellbeing, it clearly is a no brainer that we should be investing in that.”

• Powerful mutual benefits

The follow-up research reaffirms the profound impact of intergenerational connections seen in the original project. Schools and care homes continue to engage due to the widespread mutual benefits for both younger and older people, as well as the community engagement benefits and strengthened reputations for the institutions themselves.

These benefits include:

• For older people: Social interaction, enhanced quality of life and wellbeing, opportunities for knowledge exchange, joy and renewed sense of purpose.
• For younger people: Skill-share opportunities, active citizenship, friendship, excitement and exposure to different life experiences.

“One chap had joined the care home recently and hadn’t smiled. He didn’t want to be there, didn’t like it… Then, after visiting the children, he was smiling and chatting and talking.”

• The vital ‘broker’ role

Each of the 11 local organisations originally appointed a project lead, known as a ‘broker’, who facilitated the school-care home links. A significant learning from the project’s 2023 evaluation was that this intermediary broker role played an essential role in keeping the relationships afloat.

While some links have developed to be self-sustaining, the broker role continues to be fundamental to the successful delivery and sustainability of Intergenerational Linking. Brokers are still providing pro-active support, valuable guidance and maintaining momentum when schools and care homes face unexpected challenges, such as staffing changes, a lack of funding and limited capacity in over-stretched workplaces. In these circumstances, the brokers are the driving forces behind a link, ensuring that younger and older people can continue to meet.

“We step back a bit because want the links to take ownership, but at least we can still advise them on what to do, and if they struggle then we would help them. I think the brokerage role is still absolutely crucial, definitely.”

• Promoting multi-level support structures

The follow-up study reveals that the broker role has evolved to represent a trainer in intergenerational best practice – modelling the conditions for the most effective, impactful linking. This model would benefit from more support, to equip teachers and care home staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive forward meaningful Intergenerational Linking. Also important is brokers working alongside fellow organisations for whom intergenerational practice is a key priority. Continued investment and recognition in policy frameworks can help to further expand the reach and impact of intergenerational initiatives.

In summary

The original investment into intergenerational practice between schools and care homes has led to sustained impact. This is evident in the continued relationships, the new connections and opportunities, the development of the model as it grows, the recognition in inspection frameworks, and the embedded intergenerational practices across schools, care homes and local organisations. Intergenerational Linking continues to deliver wide-ranging benefits to younger and older people, to schools and care homes, to local organisations and wider communities, enriching lives, fostering understanding, and facilitating a stronger, more integrated society.

To see the full research, please visit: Sustained connections: The lasting impact of Intergenerational Linking between schools and care homes - My Home Life England

Care Home FaNs: Intergenerational Linking was originally funded through the #iwill Fund. The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). The Dunhill Medical Trust acted as a match funder for the project.