Within our model we have to think about the families of children and also their grand-friends. Both family groups spend a lot of time in the Care Village and interact with each other in organised and spontaneous ways. Many family members of the older people have formal caring responsibilities and it is important for us to respect this role and the anxiety and pressure it can sometimes bring. Equally, we have been careful to make sure that the children's family members understand the unique nature of the Nursery and that their children will spend parts of most days alongside older people. Interestingly, many parents have told us that they chose the Nursery for this very reason. Modern work patterns often mean that young families are geographically located away from their immediate family, especially grandparents. Parents are keen to make sure that their children have the opportunity to spend time with older people and the special nurture and knowledge they bring. This frequently extends to include them too. We have found that many parents will stay to have a coffee or a chat with our older community members at the start or end of the working day. This is heartwarming to observe and several of these relationships have become strong and extended to include wider family members.

We often think that it is only older people who experience loneliness. Our experience suggests that it is much more widespread and includes people of all ages. For example, the role of carer to an older person can be lonely and socially isolating. There is much to do to support the care of someone living with dementia or who is frail, often leaving little time for other interests or opportunities to relax and recharge batteries.

With this in mind, we try our very best to include everyone in our events and sessions and we have found that, for some, these offer the only social opportunity families are able to access together in a busy week. However, this free access model has been hugely beneficial to us. We have discovered that many family members are natural leaders and innovators who have much knowledge and a rich abundance of skills they are happy to share with the children. For example, one carer has travelled the world and when the children were learning about the Antarctic, he brought his amazing collection of penguins made from every type of material and told the story of each penguin. The children were enthralled and still talk about Alan's penguin family!

We encourage family members to volunteer and are developing a bespoke volunteering programme to introduce people to the world of intergenerational practice. For many retired family members, volunteering provides an opportunity to make a difference and feel that your contribution, however large or small, is valued and recognised. Since we opened the Nursery, our team of volunteers has grown steadily and we put their skills to good use. This may include helping out in the fortnightly Repair Shop, where broken items from both the Care Village and Nursery are restored and mended, reading to and with the children, helping at mealtimes and leading garden/nature projects.

We strongly believe that our health and wellbeing as individuals, whether children, older people, family or workers is intimately connected. How we live together really matters and our quality of life is dependent on the strong attachment bonds we make as a interdependent community. Meaning and purpose are hallmarks of the Nursery which extend out to invite families to participate in ways that make sense to them and enable them to enjoy belonging to a community that cares.

Sue Egersdorff

Co-founder Ready Generations sue@readygenerations.co.uk