Essex care home residents and schoolchildren unite for intergenerational environmental initiative

A care home in Halstead recently participated in a newly launched environmental initiative, bringing together local schoolchildren and residents for a day of green-fingered activities.

Care UK’s Colne View, on Dame Mary Walk, recently invited children from The Park Pre-School in Halstead to join residents as they took part in Generations of Change, an intergenerational initiative that has been launched ahead of Global Recycling Day to unite older and younger people in a shared mission of environmental stewardship.  

The new Care UK Generations of Change programme aims to harness the wisdom of older members of society and the fresh perspectives of children during hands-on activities linked to biodiversity, climate change and sustainable gardening, creating opportunities for a fulfilling knowledge exchange that will benefit the planet.   

To do their bit, Colne View residents worked with the youngsters to launch a gardening project at the home, focused on creating a better environment for local wildlife. The day began with the group planting seeds in the garden, that will later spring into fragrant blooms to attract more bees to the area and promote biodiversity. 

In addition, the children and residents worked side by side to create colourful bird feeders from recycled materials, ready to hang in the garden to provide food for local birds.

83-year-old resident Pat Hill-Cottingham said, “It was so lovely watching the children get involved with planting. It’s important to protect our environment for future generations and educate them in this.”

Aligned with school curriculums, this will be the first of many Generations of Change projects at Colne View, bringing a unique bidirectional learning model into the home that allows residents to mentor children on traditional conservation practices while children share modern perspectives on sustainable living during their shared environmental projects.

Beyond environmental education, this initiative aims to combat loneliness in older people by fostering meaningful connections that promote a sense of purpose, enriching the lives of both generations as they work together towards a more sustainable future. 

Care UK has also created downloadable packs with resources for teachers and groups, including fun, interactive activities to help facilitate intergenerational lessons, with the educational packs covering topics from biodiversity to food sustainability, climate change and recycling. 

Monica Boldeata, Home Manager at Colne View, said: “We were thrilled to see the children and residents so engaged in the gardening project and the absolute joy on their faces as they worked together to do their bit for the planet. 

“The Generations of Change initiative allows residents and children to learn from one another and share knowledge in a fulfilling way – and it’s great to see it coming to life. We can’t wait for the flowers to bloom and to welcome more bees and feathered friends into the gardens, and we’d like to thank The Park Pre-School for joining us in our mission!”

For more information about Care UK’s Generations of Change, and to download the free resources, visit careuk.com/generations-of-change

In 2024, Care UK secured official accreditation for the high standards it used to measure corporate greenhouse gas emissions, an important milestone in its journey of reducing carbon emissions and achieving net zero by 2040. Care UK continues to work towards having at least one Sustainability Champion in each of their 160+ homes and Generations of Change complements the organisation’s ESG values and dedication to sustainability, community and intergenerational relationships. 

More than 99% of Care UK’s general waste was diverted from landfill last year, alongside the reduction of unnecessary pharmaceutical waste, and investments continue to be made in home upgrades such as environmentally friendly LED lighting and salary sacrifice schemes to encourage team members to cycle or switch to electric vehicles. 

Colne View is a purpose-built care home designed to deliver the very best standards of care, and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home offers full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates luxury facilities, including its own cinema, café and hair and beauty salon.