Bringing Generations Together Through Music
Kiddi Caru Whiteley's Boogie Mites Journey
At Kiddi Caru Whiteley, a Grandir UK day nursery, something truly special is happening each week. Through their intergenerational Boogie Mites sessions with a local care home, children and residents are connecting in ways that are joyful, meaningful, and deeply moving.
We spoke with the nursery manager to learn how it all began, how it works in practice, and the impact it’s having on everyone involved.
Where It All Began
The idea didn’t start as a formal programme; it grew from something much simpler.
Regular visits to the care home began through a charity initiative, where staff and children would drop in with cards, biscuits, and friendly conversation. But it soon became clear that there was potential to do more.
Kiddi Caru Whiteley manager Erika Maindrou thought that they should do some more focused activities that would benefit both the residents and the children. That’s when Boogie Mites came into the picture.
Already embedded in the nursery setting, the team knew how powerful music could be for engaging young children. Erika heard about the Boogie Mites intergenerational project from our June 2025 Webinar, and she was on the phone the very next day, keen to explore further.
Erika recognised that music is something that everybody loves and everybody can join in with in any way, so with trained staff and enthusiastic children, the transition into the care home setting felt seamless, and the response was immediate.
Training That Brings Confidence
A key part of the journey was the intergenerational training package, which provided both practical guidance and inspiration. Boogie Mites trainer Liv McLennan spent the day with the team, delivering a session in the care home for the team to observe during the day, before delivering staff training back at the setting in the evening. Erika believes that seeing a session in action before diving into training made a real difference, as observing a live session in the care home gave staff something tangible to reflect on later during their evening training session. It helped build confidence and ensured everyone felt prepared. She commented, “The support from Boogie Mites was helpful because anything I asked was made easy, and you worked around what we needed.”
Because the children were already familiar with Boogie Mites, sessions in the care home felt like a natural extension rather than something new or daunting.
How the Sessions Work
Each week, careful planning ensures that the sessions run smoothly.
Every Wednesday, additional staff are brought in so a group of children can make the 25-minute walk to the care home. The children rotate weekly, giving everyone the opportunity to take part.
The team is also exploring ways to expand access even further:
- Virtual sessions using Teams and the care home’s projector
- Outdoor music sessions in the care home garden
- Inviting residents to visit the nursery setting
Erika’s aim is to break down any barriers, and she thinks the children would love it.
The Impact on Residents
The effect on residents has been nothing short of powerful.
“It’s just been wonderful, sometimes it brings a tear to the eye.”
Even residents who are asleep at first often respond as soon as the children arrive. Erika noted that, “As they hear the children, they wake up… it brightens their day and uplifts their mood.”
The connection doesn’t end when the session finishes either; they’ve had feedback that residents have been talking about it and would like them to come back more.
What Children Are Learning
While the sessions are joyful and fun, they also bring valuable learning opportunities for the children, with Erika highlighting empathy and understanding as key outcomes:
“I wanted them to learn about differences… and I think that has brought this to them.”
This compassion is already showing in everyday actions. After a recent bake sale, the children suggested making cookies for the residents, a gesture they also made at Christmas.
These small but meaningful acts demonstrate how deeply the experience is shaping their thinking.
Parents have also noticed the positive impact the experience has had on their children:
“The children visiting the care home can be a heartwarming and mutually beneficial experience. Visits to them will brighten a resident’s day and help the children develop empathy and respect for older generations. Children can hear life stories, learn about history, and understand different life experiences. It’s lovely to encourage intergenerational bonds and reduce loneliness for the residents.
It’s lovely for the children to do activities such as singing, reading, drawing, and simple games with the residents and build interaction and communication with them.”
A Typical Session
Sessions are designed to be engaging but manageable for everyone involved. They usually last around 20 minutes, focusing on a small number of songs to keep things simple and meaningful.
Props like fabric scarves are a favourite, adding movement and interaction. Between songs, children take time to walk around and connect with residents individually. Erika explained that some of the residents don’t have anybody else visiting, so it’s really important. For staff, the experience is just as rewarding. Erika commented, “It makes my heart full after we’ve been to visit.”
Looking Ahead
The success of the programme at Kiddi Caru Whiteley has sparked ambitions for the future.
There are plans to deepen the partnership with the care home and explore new ways of connecting, but also to inspire others, with the hope that other Grandir UK settings will roll it out.
A Simple Idea, A Lasting Impact
What started as a small act of kindness has grown into something much bigger: a shared experience that bridges generations, builds empathy, and brings joy through music.
Kiddi Caru Whiteley’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the simplest ideas, like singing together, can have the greatest impact.
Join The Conversation
Join Boogie Mites Tutors Tasha and Liv on Monday 15th June for an inspiring webinar on Intergenerational Music-Making, exploring how music brings together young children and older adults in meaningful, magical ways.
Learn from this successful project between Kiddi Caru Whiteley and Hamble Heights Care Home, and gain ideas and two Boogie Mites songs you can apply in your own setting!
INTERGENERATIONAL MUSIC-MAKING
🗓️ Monday 15th June
⏰ 7:00 PM (UK time)
📍 Live on Zoom (With recording available from 17th – 24th June)
Click the button below to book your place.
