We Are Friends is One Activity In, Here’s the Tale So Far
Are you sitting comfortably?
Then we’ll begin…
Once Upon a Time there was a land segregated by age. Little ones rarely got to know of the joy older people could bring - the stories, the wisdom, the fun. As for those older people? Well, they went without the pleasure of regularly interacting with the smallest in all the land (who, despite being tiny in size, could bring MAMMOTH joy, just by being themselves).
Then one magical day, a little project connected the two - young and older - through the power of storytelling. That little project was ‘We are Friends’ - and the hero of the hour wasn’t a knight on a trusty steed,
but London Borough of Waltham Forest, whose funding made it all possible.
"It's good to laugh"
- Older Participant
We are Friends -
The Why and the What
We are Friends was created with a lofty aim - to build meaningful relationships between generations through multi-age shared learning (with a special focus on storytelling).
Now back to that hero of ours - Waltham Forest Council - who funded our collaboration with
Chit Chat Pitter Pat! - an inspiring virtual home learning project for under 5’s. Alongside them, we’ll connect 52 residents from five care homes with approximately 65 nursery and reception year pupils at five Early Years Foundation Settings (EYFS). All in all, our participants range in age from 1 to 104 - between them they will exchange three activities. Here’s the tale of the first one (spoiler: sessions were full of creativity and conversation; children have learned the value of individual differences, while older people shared meaningful memories).
“The project provoked conversation about residents as individuals, their likes, dislikes etc which sparked off memories about the past. It is always a privilege to be part of these meaningful conversations. The activity was also very light hearted and fun so there was plenty of laughter. The resources provided were fantastic and appropriate for our residents to use”
- Care Home Activity Coordinator
For the first task, participants were challenged to create a self-portrait on a paper plate. Little ones were encouraged to look in the mirror - Cassie noted her “triangle and square shaped teeth, her one nose and peachy brown hair”.
At this point in our story, Kind Khalil enters stage right…
Kind Khalil is a puppet gifted by Waltham Forest Council to all the settings involved in the project. While creating their paper plate portraits, the children compared how they were the same as Khalil in some ways, while being different in others - and for all of our participants, Khalil has been a source of cuddles and laughter.
Next up?
The answering of questions on an information sheet - all about each participant. On that sheet, they shared their favourite foods, colours, stories and animals - who they live with, the colour of their hair and the year they were born.
With paper faces painted, hair stuck on, sheets complete, each setting sent off their work, and received some in return
- with which came a good ol’ game of ‘Guess Who?’ - as each group gathered to try to match the faces with the correct information sheet.
“Look, you look like me, I have brown hair like the lady - can we go to their house?”
- Child Participant
“The interaction between the children and the residents (via video) was fun,
as the children enjoyed guessing who’s plates were who’s”
- EYFS Activity Coordinator
Stats and Facts on Impact
The stats above have been collated from 5 care homes and 2 EYFS settings. They will be updated once all results are back.
“The residents enjoy being able to sit together and carry out activities. One said - 'oh I've made a new friend' because it gives them an opportunity to have social interaction.
“Some residents thought they went somewhere to do the activity and that it was a day out as they could have a cup of tea and a biscuit together after the activity.
“Some of the residents looked at what they had made and couldn't believe they were able to make it.
They were proud of what they had done.”
- Care Home Activity Coordinator
What did our younger participants
think of Kind Khalil?
“For the project we used Kind Khalil to talk about how we all look different
e.g. hair, eyes and skin colour and the importance of being kind and respectful to each other.
We also use Kind Khalil on a regular basis to stress that using kind hands and words
with each other makes our friends happy.
The children often have Kind Khalil take part in story and rhyme time”
- EYFS Activity Coordinator
What did our older participants
think of Kind Khalil?
“Residents cuddled him, it was fantastic to see the emotion on their faces and the happiness and smiles.
Some act as if he is real and some residents, who do not talk much but interact
with Kind Khalil, did not want to part with him.”
- Care Home Activity Coordinator
“Residents told Kind Khalil their name and what they like to do
- lots of laughing when I interacted with the puppet”
- Care Home Activity Coordinator
“When Kind Khalil is around certain residents they gravitate towards him and
he usually stays for lunch and plenty of cuddles!”
- Care Home Activity Coordinator
“I like him, he’s funny. Can we see him again?”
- Older Participant
Want to find out more - or how we could spread multi-age magic in your neighbourhood?
Please email louise@thetogetherproject.org.uk
