Hand in Hand Together
Our joy-filled initiative spread cheer, reduced loneliness and created multi-age friendships across the nation.
The Hand in Hand Together campaign addressed the isolation and sadness that so many of us experienced during lockdown. It provided a fun, creative way for children and parents to link up with older generations, and celebrated the simple, restorative power of human connection.
In July 2020, The Together Project launched Hand In Hand Together in response to the devastation of COVID-19.
Care home residents, children and their parents produced pictures using handprints - symbolic of reaching out across the terrible divide the pandemic created - and wrote little stories about themselves and their interests. We then partnered everyone up and swapped the pictures and stories in the post, spreading moments of happiness across the UK at the darkest of times.
To celebrate handprints were made into an incredibly moving collage depicting a truly intergenerational relationship
We unveiled the one-of-a-kind artwork at Bucklesham Grange care home in September 2020, on National Arts in Care Homes Day.
Lifestyle Leader at Bucklesham Grange, Kirsty Thomas said: “It’s an honour to be the home that receives this amazing artwork. Songs & Smiles was so treasured by the team and residents, and its great we are still able to have contact in some way with the children and the community. We are looking forward to the time when we can next welcome children and their parents/guardians into Bucklesham Grange, until this time we can enjoy this colourful piece.”
Photo: Resident John Sugden, resident Debbie Burley, resident Daphne Vaughan, Jade Simpson York - team member - Lifestyles.
After the initial 12 week period, and once the extreme restrictions of’ Lockdown 1’ had lifted, we decided to extend Hand in Hand Together. We realised the impact it was having on reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing.
Hand in Hand Together provided a fun, creative way for children and parents to link up with older generations, and celebrated the simple, restorative power of human connection. You can see some of these connections in our heart-warming video.
63 Christmas cards were sent to residents
throughout December
In December 2020, we contacted all previous parents/guardians who had been involved in Hand in Hand Together and asked if they wanted to create a handprint Christmas Card to be sent to residents. 63 Christmas cards were sent to residents throughout December.
Residents from 12 care homes read
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’
The care homes were unable to create Christmas cards in return as many of them had cases of COVID within their homes. However, as a’ thank you’ to the younger generation, Hallmark Care Homes wanted to make a video to be sent out to all participants. The Together Project produced a video showing clips of residents from 12 care homes reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’.
On the 24th December we sent the video to all those who had subscribed: “To all the children that lifted our spirits over lockdown with your wonderful artwork & stories - this is for you”. - Hallmark Care Home residents.
Carrie Symonds (The PM’s partner, now wife) signed up their young son Wilfred
“It's been lovely receiving handprints and letters from the nursery children. I was told one of my handprints was going to a VIP but I didn’t know who until it arrived. I’ve waited all my life to be famous and, at nearly 90, I might finally make it. I hope little Wilfred liked the shapes and bright colours on my handprint.” Betty Boyes, 84, a resident at Hazelgrove Court Care Home
Hand in Hand Together - the future
Hand in Hand Together has now closed but we wanted to build on it’s success and continue to address isolation and sadness. So, taking the learnings from Hand in Hand Together along with winning a competition for some pro bono research (with Opinipoll) and fundraising - we will be launching our fun-filled, heartwarming new project, Crafting Connections, in early 2022.
Watch this space
“Hand in Hand Together is symbolic of reaching across the divide that has been created between care homes and their local communities during this terrible time we’ve all been through.”
“This is a truly heartwarming initiative. It’s been an incredibly tough time for everyone and this has really helped to lift spirits.”
“Kane, age 1, was thrilled with his handprint from care home resident, Sheila, age 81.
She likes to help in the garden and water the flowers.
Kane loves anything to do with water and regularly waters our garden!
Just goes to show we all have things in common, whatever your age.”
“The project has been a wonderful way for our residents to connect with lots of children in a different part of the country.
“Normally residents would go out and about into the community, engaging and connecting with people, but this year it hasn’t been possible. The project has been a way for them to bridge the generational divide and bring the youngest in our community into the home.”
“Hand in Hand Together is a wonderful way to connect different generations. Hallmark residents have loved being involved in the exchange of handprints, and reading the children’s letters has given so much pleasure.”