What to Expect at Songs & Smiles
Welcome to Songs & Smiles! We are a donate-what-you-can singing and social group beautifully crafted for children aged 0-4, their grown-ups, and the wonderful residents of local care homes or assisted living schemes. Songs & Smiles is run by The Together Project, the national charity that boosts wellbeing, reduces loneliness and fosters stronger, happier communities through joyful intergenerational experiences.
We know that walking into a care home for the very first time can feel a bit unfamiliar or intimidating, but we promise our groups are relaxed and welcoming.
If you are thinking about joining us, here is exactly what your first visit will look like!
Songs & Smiles participants enjoying bubbles
The Session Breakdown
Our one-hour sessions are split into two sections, with a more focused and clear structure to the first section. We designed the session like this - with shorter periods of concentration and familiar routines - to help support cognitive function of both younger and older minds.
First 30 Minutes: Music & Movement
We kick things off with a lively, structured musical session built around themes of speed, volume, beats, actions, and movement. This section supports language skills and hand-eye coordination for both little ones and older ones. Together, parents, children, and residents will:
Play musical instruments, wave colorful scarves, and pop bubbles.
Sing along to familiar nursery rhymes and popular hits from the 50s and 60s.
We intentionally choose these nostalgic tracks because they unlock wonderful memories and help residents—especially those living with dementia—engage and connect more easily.
Second 30 Minutes: Meet & Mingle
The second half of our hour shifts into a wonderful, low-pressure social time. It’s a chance to relax and enjoy some complimentary drinks and snacks while chatting. It is the perfect opportunity to make brand-new friends with other local parents and the lovely residents alike. We know you’ve probably seen a lot of photos of residents and babies sharing cuddles at our sessions, however we’d like to stress that there is zero pressure to do this - the most important thing about the sessions is doing what you feel comfortable with.
Songs & Smiles Session
Tips for a Wonderful First Visit
To help you and your little one get the most out of your experience, keep these simple tips in mind:
Layer Up for the Heat: Care homes generally keep their indoor heating set quite high to keep older residents cosy. We highly recommend dressing both yourself and your child in layers so you can easily adjust and stay comfortable.
Zero Pressure for Toddlers: Please do not worry about your child sitting perfectly still on a mat—there is absolutely zero expectation for that! Some children love to stand and dance, some prefer to crawl around and explore the room, and others just want a quiet cuddle in your lap. As long as you stay close by to supervise them, they are completely free to be themselves.
Making Connections is Simple: If you aren't sure how to start a conversation with an older resident, don't sweat it. A simple smile and a friendly "hello" is often the ultimate icebreaker. If you are chatting with someone living with dementia, just remember that they might need a little extra time to process information or speak. Speak slowly, calmly, and try to get down to eye level. Your child is the ultimate conversation starter!
Photo Etiquette: You are always more than welcome to snap beautiful photos of your own child to remember the day! However, to respect everyone’s privacy and safety, please do not photograph care home residents or other children unless you have explicit permission from the staff or the relevant parent/guardian.
A older adult and child enjoying getting to know each other
Ready to join the fun?
Songs & Smiles is all about bringing joy to multiple generations. If you are ready to book, or have already booked onto your first session, please read through the ‘Need to Knows’ before attending.
We can't wait to see you, your little one, and your new neighborhood friends at a session very soon!