Intergenerational Stay & Play
Upcoming sessions
Dates will be published here once they are confirmed.
Sessions may consist of the following
- a block of 5 weekly sessions
- one off week day sessions
- one off weekend sessions
- holiday sessions
If you’d like to be notified when more dates are available to book, please register to join my mailing list and I will send you an email when new dates are announced.
Details
Location: Silvermere Care Home, Redhill Road, Cobham, KT11 1EF
Duration: 1 hour 10:45-11:45
Participants: 6 children + parents, a minimum of 6 residents, myself and a carer
Cost: £36 for a block of 6 sessions = £6 per session
What do the sessions look like?
Each 1 hour session begins with introductions and a short story. The children and residents will then have the opportunity to help each other complete a craft activity linked to the book. This may be creating artwork, decorating everyday items or planting seeds to grow.
After a quick drink and biscuit break, the children will be able to choose an activity that they would like their buddy to complete with them. From games and puzzles to stories, stickers and colouring, there will be an option for everyone.
To round off the session, we will come together to sing some familiar nursery rhymes, with everyone encouraged to join in with the actions!
What is the rational behind the sessions?
These stay and play sessions are rooted in the belief that meaningful connection can be nurtured across generations through shared experiences, curiosity and play. At the heart of the sessions are values of friendship, kindness and communication to provide a joyful experience for both children and residents alike. Through regular interaction, children gain confidence, empathy and exposure to new relationships and experiences, while residents are offered companionship, stimulation and a renewed sense of connection and purpose.
For my block bookings, the sessions run over a number of weeks to allow relationships to develop over time, with each week following a familiar structure so that children and residents can become increasingly comfortable and confident. Keeping groups small, with just six children per block, is a deliberate choice to create a calm, intimate environment where each participant can be supported and where the focus remains on working together, rather than simply alongside one another. This smaller group setting helps foster deeper connection and allows the sessions to remain responsive, relational and welcoming for everyone involved.
Babies who are not yet walking do not count toward participant numbers and are very welcome to attend alongside you.
Feedback
Have you attended a session? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What inspired me to set up an intergenerational stay & play?
I always knew that I wanted to work with children, but it was in 2017 when the Channel 4 documentary ‘Old people’s home for four year old’s‘ aired, that I was first inspired to bring generations together.
I feel very fortunate to have grown up with all four of my grandparents and they have played a huge role in my life. Seeing the joy they experienced when they met their first great-grandchild meant everything to me. Thanks to Luca, a new energy was sparked in all of them. My Nanna, who struggles with communication, was now reading him stories. They were all being instructed to push him on the swing or play games such as ‘hide the thimble’ and my Grandad regularly tries to join in football games, plays chase and gets down on the floor to build fire-engine bricks with him.
At the start of 2025, we sadly said goodbye to Pop the Elder and it was at this time that my Nanna transitioned into a care home. Over the past year or so, I have visited regularly, often take her out for a walk or coffee nearby. Whenever Luca came with me to visit, I noticed how much the other residents lit up. They became more smiley and chatty, and seeing this really made me think…
Want to know more?
If you’d like to read more about the benefits of building intergenerational relationships, here are some of the research studies I found informative.
Benefits
- Develops friendships
- Communication skills
- Reduces ageist stereotypes
- Social and emotional development
- Reduces loneliness
- Improves mobility
- Community bonding
- Brings joy
Register interest
If you’d like to be notified when new intergeneration stay & play session dates are announced, please complete the form below.
There is no commitment at this stage – only an email to let you know when more dates have been released!