TKC’s launch initiative is called Project JOY.
This is an intergenerational project that stands for Joining Older and Younger. The concept is simple: bringing together school-aged children and elderly people for conversations, activities and games, already proven in numerous studies to deliver significant benefits on all sides.
Project JOY was inspired by the award-winning Channel 4 documentary entitled “Old People’s Home for 4-year Olds”, but focuses this time on engaging young children from pre-school nursery right through to A-Level students. We have different offerings for different ages of children, appropriate to their skills and confidence.
Our initial partnership with Brambletye School, an independent school located just outside of East Grinstead and Truscott Manor, a residential nursing home just across the A22 from Brambletye, delivered a suite of shared resources that is now being reused with lots of other local schools and care homes.
Filippa Brundish, Founder of The Kindness Cooperation, and project manager for this initiative is delighted with the positive feedback and results so far. “The children are my little helpers, and they really do bring spadefuls of JOY during these precious visits. Everyone’s spirits are lifted, including the teachers and care home workers too!”
The project is expanding each academic year, and currently we are working with six schools in the East Grinstead area, plus we have nurtured a partnership with Age UK East Grinstead & District to bring children into their dementia service.
If you are interested in hearing more, or if you are a local school or care home that wishes to get involved, then please use our CONTACT US form. We would love to hear from you.
