Bringing children and older people together through food: the promotion of intergenerational relationships across preschool, school and care home settings

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how food-focused social activities are a route for promoting intergenerational relationships, well-being and dietary benefits among residents in care homes and children in preschool/schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study methodology, this study undertook staff-focused research on a 26-month UK programme in 12 partnership clusters, involving a range of growing, cooking, eating and community activities.

Findings

Staff reported benefits for older people, including improved mood, surfacing positive memories, new personal connections and relief from feelings of boredom and loneliness. Children were reported to develop in-depth relationships, greater empathy and overcame negative preconceptions. Food-based activities enabled all parties to express caring and nurturing in tangible and often non-verbal ways.

Originality/value

Food-based activities appear to have specific material and emotive characteristics that resonate with the intergenerational interests of older people and children. Using mainly in-house resources, this study showed that it is feasible to generate novel food-based practices between children’s education and care home sectors. A “test-and-learn” programme model is recommended, given sensitivities and complexity associated with food-based activities and the limited organizational capacity of care home and early education service providers.

Citation

Jones, M. and Ismail, S.U. (2022), "Bringing children and older people together through food: the promotion of intergenerational relationships across preschool, school and care home settings", Working with Older People, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 151-161. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-11-2021-0059