Intergenerational Additional Resources
Introduction to Connecting with Care Homes
Using a BBC News video (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-52435997) of Bobby Swain celebrating his 100th birthday in a Care Home during lockdown, this resource helps children explore the importance of connecting with older members of our community during this time and suggests different things that they can do to stay in touch. View in full screen to hear the voiceover which will allow children to access this resource independently. They can then have a go at some of the other activities on this page.
Intergenerational Curiosity Questions
Questions that children, young people and older people can use to promote intergenerational conversations and relationships. These questions are suggestions only and can easily be adapted.
Virtual Messages
Many older people are having to stay inside to keep them safe and older people living in care homes aren’t allowed visitors at the moment. But we can still remain connected to those we care about. Why not write a message and a picture on a poster, take a photo and send it over – this will make those you care about smile. Many people are including rainbows.
Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet (Richard of York Gave Battle In Vain)
Postcards to Care Homes
Sending a postcard to an older person living in a care home is a fantastic way for children to start making intergenerational links. In a digital age, receiving something in the post is exciting for all ages! Using a blank postcard template means that children can create their own design on the front.
Share what you see
Older people and residents in care homes are staying inside at the moment to stay safe.
This resource helps you to create a picture of the view from a window in your home. Maybe you can see trees, other houses, shops, a church, a mosque, a school…
When you’ve finished, share what you see with a resident in your local care home or an older relative or neighbour, by sending your picture to them.
Bring the outside inside for an older person
Older people and residents in care homes are staying inside at the moment to stay safe.
Here are a few steps to help you to create your own ‘Blossom Tree’. When you’re finished, send your picture to your local care home or older relative or neighbour so that they can put it up and bring the Spring inside.
The following resources have been created by My Home Life England and The Linking Network as part of the Care Home Friends and Neighbours: Intergenerational Linking Project. Our activities are designed to be used by parents, schools, youth organisations and care homes. They promote contact between young people and older people living in care homes, even when face-to-face linking isn’t possible.
Visit http://carehomefans.org/remote-intergenerational-linking/ to keep updated on the project and new resources.
Bird Feeders
Create your own bird feeder and hang it in the garden of a care home! Residents will enjoy watching different birds visit the garden to feed from your thoughtful, tasty creation!
We’ve got 3 different bird feeders for you to try – apple feeder, fat ball and recycled milk carton.
Rock Art
Decorate a pebble in bright colours and patterns. Take them to your local care home and put them in the garden. They will become little patches of colour and friendship when a resident looks out of their window!
Pots of Love
This resource will help you to decorate a pot and plant it with fast-growing seeds. Then when it’s finished, take your pot and place on the windowsill of your local care home to brighten a resident’s day!
An outline of a pot to help with your design
Story Exchange
Choose an idea for a story, using the grid (or use your own ideas) and when your story is finished, send it through to a local care home for the residents to read and enjoy.
Skill swap
Having lots of time on your hands is perfect for learning a new skill and sharing your skills with others. Send your instructions to your local care home so that the residents can learn from you. They might even be able to share a skill back with you.
Send a puzzle challenge
Puzzles are great for keeping the brain active! Create your own word search or cross word for a care home resident to enjoy and complete. The words you include could all be linked to your favourite topic or even some spellings you’re practising or something else. You can make your own grid or use our ready-made template or us an online creator.
Pen Pals
It’s fun to make new friends! Write a letter to a care home resident and wait for them to send one back to you. You’ll learn more about each other as your pen pal friendship develops.
Our Introductory Questions help you to talk about yourself. We’ve also included some Curiosity Questions that you could ask your new friend.
Create a Local Newspaper
Produce your own newspaper for care home residents to read! This is a great way to demonstrate your creativity – you could include local stories, interviews with family members, sports reports and maybe even a puzzle.
Ask your siblings or friends if they’d like to get involved too! Use our activity sheet to guide you through what to do.
One page profile
Fill in a one page profile to introduce yourself to a care home resident. One page profiles are a great way to get to know each other better and find common interests. Perhaps they’ll send one back to you!
We’ve created a template to help you get started.
