Programme Overview

We believe every member of our community should feel valued for who they are and for the unique experiences they bring.

Older adults play an important role during Brighter Together sessions – they bring a lifetime of wisdom and experience as they help to guide the children’s learning and development.

Their presence in young children’s lives provides a real sense of purpose and renewed confidence, enhancing wellbeing for all involved.

Children thrive through the meaningful connections formed with older adults. These relationships support children’s confidence, concentration and communication skills and positively influence their life chances and wellbeing.

Children develop empathy and understanding, and these connections help challenge stereotypes and promote more inclusive perceptions of aging and ability.

Our approach

Our activities are structured to include reminiscence therapy, sensory activities and improve gross and fine motor skills, benefitting both adults and children. We weave music and crafts into a range of exciting topics that are mutually beneficial and awe-inspiring.

We end each term with a special celebration that brings together friends, families and staff – a wonderful way to welcome the wider community into the care setting.

Designed by experts

While our sessions deliver joy, laughter and learning, everything we do is grounded in evidence-based research.

Our sessions are thoughtfully designed with input from our Advisory Board, using expertise in occupational therapy, dementia care and Early Years education.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy underpins both our programme and structure to ensure each activity truly benefits our participants.

Our People

The children have the opportunity to practice and develop skills of compassion and kindness, as well as learning about history from the residents.

Claudia Neves Headteacher, St Margaret’s Montessori Nursery

Frequently asked questions

Each session lasts one hour and takes place at the same time and on the same day each week. Sessions run weekly during term time.

We have a consistent session structure that includes circle time, songs, stories, and activities centred around a different theme each term.

 

All activities are designed to encourage connection and support wellbeing.

 

We also include time for a snack or refreshments and encourage free-flowing conversation between the adults and children.

Our programme has been designed to maximise the benefit of each session for both children and adults.

 

We put together an Advisory Board comprising experts in occupational therapy, Early Years education, dementia care, and physiotherapy.

 

The Board supports the development of our curriculum to maximise wellbeing and ensure our work remains evidence informed and impactful.

Your Session Facilitator will organise and bring all the resources to each session. You just need to bring the children or adults!

Around 70% of older participants in our existing programmes live with dementia, and we consistently see improvements in their social and emotional wellbeing, alongside benefits to physical health.

 

All our Session Facilitators receive specialist dementia training, including Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, ensuring they can deliver sessions with confidence and sensitivity.

Yes – we were founded in 2019 and registered with the Charities Commission in 2020. Our registered charity number is 1190557.

Most of our programme is funded by our grant partners, which enables us to cover costs such as staff, resources, travel, insurance, curriculum development and training.

 

We ask care settings to make a small termly contribution to help support the ongoing delivery of the project. This contribution is comparable to (and often lower than!) fees for other activity providers working with care settings.

Yes – we have comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures in place for both children and adults at risk.

 

These are reviewed annually by our Board of Trustees, and all staff, Session Facilitators and volunteers are expected to follow them.

 

All staff, Session Facilitators and volunteers undertake appropriate DBS checks and receive safeguarding training.