In preparation for Global Intergenerational Week, HC-One's
Pendleton Court care home, in Salford, has been taking part in a six-week program aiming to build up relationships between generations through music making.
The home’s Wellbeing Coordinator, Lesley Moore, has been leading sessions from January onwards, with the local Boys Brigade and Girls Association from Emmanuel Church, and the Residents at the 58-bed residential, nursing and residential dementia care home, to take part in activities together in support of the Intergenerational Music Making scheme.
This project merges the worlds of music and movement to support the mental and physical wellbeing of the young and old through music and movement. Bringing together partners across health and education and aiming to build community connections in Salford.
This involves parachute games, Mexican waves, mirroring and dance-offs (which were a lot of fun). There’s also been some playing of percussion instruments and dancing to iconic tunes from a variety of different artists over the past decades, from Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it Off’ to ‘Sweet Caroline’.
The sessions ended with ‘We’ll Meet Again’ by Vera Lynn, which the children learnt to sing along with the Residents.
Each session was planned and encouraged interaction between everyone. Lesley said, “We had some lovely bonds made and the children brought so much joy to everyone involved.”
“The Residents loved meeting and bonding with the children.”
Ron, who lives at the home, said, “I look forward to seeing them (the children) and the atmosphere totally changes when they come in. We love to have the children here; they brighten the days.”
The children are excited for the sessions and were upset they couldn’t go in during the half term break!
Maxine Buckley, Care Home Manager, commented, “We will be carrying on with the sessions even though this pilot has finished and carry on the amazing connections.”
Lesley added, “It brings people to life, people who might be withdrawn, for example, today we've had two Residents who never really want to join in sessions, but they have been interacting and having fun with the kids, it's amazing!”