Social Care Through the Ages - We Share, We Care
This project explored the powerful connection between being in care and being cared for at the end of life. It brought together two organisations—one supporting care-experienced young people and the other working with older adults—to build meaningful relationships and foster mutual understanding across generations.
Their additional aims are:
- To put a smile on elderly people’s faces
- Enable older people and young people to communicate better, young people could be almost like grandchildren to those who don’t have any
- Advance the project further after the pilot scheme.
Funding Source
The Key+ Social Action Project Initiative
Belle Vue Care HomeÂ
Investing in Children
Impact
The project gave all participants the opportunity to connect with older people, helping them to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of experiences across different generations. It also empowered the group to design, develop, and lead a project together for the first time—creating something that would have a positive impact within the community. A key aim was to build meaningful connections between social care providers supporting people at different stages of life.
The group successfully achieved this by delivering their project across both partner organisations. Their positive interactions with residents in the care home helped to challenge negative stereotypes of young people in care, while also addressing ageism—an important goal for everyone involved.
As a result of the project, the group has committed to running further sessions over the summer. These ongoing activities will continue to strengthen interpersonal skills through shared experiences at the care home. All participants have grown in confidence, something they reflected through their enthusiasm and enjoyment throughout the project.
The project was shortlisted for the Key Award in 2025 and continues to go from strength to strength. Most recently, a Christmas 2025 catch-up was a great success, with further plans already in place for 2026.
Engagement and Outcomes
The group’s positive interactions with older adults in the care home helped to challenge negative stereotypes about young people in care, while also reducing ageism—an important aim of the project. Following the success of the Christmas 2025 event, the group has committed to delivering further sessions in 2026. These ongoing activities will continue to strengthen interpersonal skills through shared experiences, while maintaining the meaningful connections already established. All participants have grown in confidence, clearly reflected in their enthusiasm and enjoyment throughout the project.
This initiative represented a completely new approach for the group, bringing young people and older adults together in a mixed-age setting. None of the participants had previously been involved in a social action project, making the experience both transformative and empowering.
Working collaboratively, the group successfully presented their work to the Key panel, secured additional funding from Bella View Care Home, and have continued to take ownership of the project. Alongside this, every member gained valuable insight into how social care for older people is delivered, as well as a deeper understanding of intergenerational work—its purpose and its impact.
Through the project, participants also developed key personal skills, including teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while gaining a stronger sense of self-confidence.
Notably, one group member has since been offered a volunteering opportunity at the care home, with potential pathways into paid employment. They continue to play a leading role in driving the project forward.
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