Care home scheme fosters friendship and smiles

Frank and Caitlin have found friendship through the "adopt a grand-friend project"

Aged 11 and 91, Caitlin and Frank may seem unlikely friends, but after being paired up though a scheme at Frank's care home the duo have bonded over a love of singing and having a laugh.

Originally from Liverpool but now living in Steeton Court in Keighley, Frank Byrne was part of a men's choir until it disbanded last year.

He said the collapse of the group left a hole in his social calendar that he had only now managed to fill thanks to meeting Caitlin though the care home's "adopt a grandfriend" project.

"We had a go at singing Yesterday, [by the Beatles]" Frank says.

"Everybody expects me to know all the words, but I am not mad on the Beatles.

"I had to leave Caitlin to sing the ending because I do not know all the words," he chuckles.

"We have a laugh".

Intergenerational activities aim to benefit a child's communication skills, social behaviour and increase confidence and self-esteem

Spellman Care, which operates four care homes in West and North Yorkshire, including Steeton Court, has rolled out the "adopt a grandfriend" scheme across all its locations.

It followed a successful pilot at their Springbank Care Home in Silsden.

According to the group, the scheme has fostered meaningful connections between young people and residents.

Steeton Court manager Caroline Cowland says it is an "important" piece of work.

"We learned from Covid that people were very isolated in care homes [so] we have tried to bring different people from the community together," she said.

"It benefits everybody, both the children, their families and our residents to help people feel less isolated.

"Not all our residents have families and friends that can visit regularly and it brings a lot of joy when they meet all the younger children."

Alongside tackling social isolation in care homes, the intergenerational activities also aim to benefit a child's communication skills, social behaviour and increase confidence and self-esteem.

Caroline Cowland, Steeton Court manager, says the scheme "brings a lot of joy"

As well as singing, Frank and Caitlin have been are able to take part in colouring and crafts together, to help foster their friendship over the last six months.

"Frank is really kind, he is very funny and it has been really nice," Caitlin says.

"I am so used to seeing people my own age, so seeing people that have more life experience is really quite inspiring."

Care home residents and young people can also add letter sharing and drawing to their in-person visits.

"It is nice, because of the age difference you can talk about different things," Frank adds.

"My wife used to say I was half baby anyway, so I like to keep in touch with the young and know what is going on around the world.

"We are on the same wave-length when it comes to having a laugh," concludes Frank.

"A smile can make your day."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.