8 February 2019

The Together Project launches at Bucklesham Grange Care Home

In August 2018, we joined forces with The Together Project, a not-for-profit social enterprise that runs creative activities to unite different age groups to tackle loneliness and bring joy.

The programme, which launched at Lakeview, our care home in Lightwater, will now be introduced at Bucklesham Grange, our ‘Outstanding’ care home in Ipswich.

From the end of February onwards, Bucklesham Grange will host weekly Songs & Smiles sessions for residents, 0-4 year olds and their parents from the local community.

Songs & Smiles has been designed to entertain and engage everyone from the youngest to the oldest members of the group, through singing, movement, instruments, coloured scarves and bubbles.

Each Songs & Smiles session lasts approximately an hour, with the musical activity followed by refreshments and a meet and mingle with the residents.

The purpose of the activity is to reduce loneliness, improve well-being, tackle ageism and unite local communities through joyful inter-generational activities.

Founder of The Together Project, Louise Goulden said: “We’re so pleased to have partnered with Bucklesham Grange Care Home. It means we can spread the Songs & Smiles joy to children, parents and older people within the Ipswich community, bringing everyone together for music, fun and friendship.

“It’s an exciting step for The Together Project and we’re thrilled to be working with an care home that shares our commitment to enriching the lives of people living in residential care.”

Head of Dementia at Hallmark Care Homes, April Dobson said: “Hallmark Care Homes is delighted to partner with The Together Project as we know that intergenerational activities can help to improve the residents’ physical and emotional well-being.

“Through the partnership we will bring different generations and the local community together in our homes – this is a fundamental element of our model of relationship-centred care and its great fun!”

The first weekly Songs & Smiles session will take place at Bucklesham Grange Care Home on Wednesday 20th February from 2-3pm.

For further information and to register your interest in attending a Songs & Smiles session, please email songs@thetogetherproject.co.uk.

Address: 141 Bucklesham Road, Purdis Farm, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 8UB

Click here to find your nearest Hallmark care home.