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Meet the grandfriends: The power of intergenerational practice
Step into a world where children and older adults connect to share stories, playtime and laughter.
Apples and Honey Nightingale is the UK’s first co-located nursery and care home – a space where children and older adults are coming together to learn, play and connect across generations. From toddlers to Year 6 pupils, young people are forming meaningful relationships with care home residents through a model rooted in the core principles of care. Enabled by a CACHE-accredited qualification, trained staff ensure that these sessions are safe, purposeful and impactful.
Delve in to discover how connection across generations is helping to build stronger, kinder communities.
What is intergenerational care?
Intergenerational care brings together children and older adults in shared environments to build meaningful relationships through activities like storytelling, baking and play. It supports children’s emotional development and offers older adults companionship and cognitive stimulation. NCFE is proud to be the only UK awarding organisation accrediting the qualification that enables practitioners to deliver this model. Watch our video to learn more! –>
The Grandfriends Club: building bonds after school
Watch The Grandfriends Club film
Each week, a group of Year 6 pupils from Finton House School visit Nightingale Care Home to take part in the Grandfriends Club – an after-school initiative where they connect with older residents through games, baking and shared stories.
In an age of elder isolation and shrinking safe spaces for young people, these visits are a powerful example of community, connection and curiosity. The care home has a Jewish ethos, with the children learn about cultural traditions and fresh perspectives.
Watch our film to meet residents including 96-year-old Fay Garcia and Finton House school children Sienna, Ellis and Charlotte.
I really love it – it's stimulating and great to meet young children. You get to know them, their parents… It’s like having a new family.
The benefits of intergenerational care
Dr Judith Ish-Horowicz MBE HonsDEd, founder of Apples and Honey Nightingale, believes intergenerational practice is a powerful agent of change. Below are some of the key benefits she highlights – you can also read our full-length Q&A with Judith about why intergenerational care matters.
Fosters a sense of family and belonging
“It removes barriers and helps people see that sense of family… bringing together the idea of community and a cohesive society."
Supports emotional and social development
“Early years educators are working with families as much as children. Intergenerational care brings that together.”
Addresses loneliness and isolation
“The World Health Organisation says one of the most impactful ways to tackle loneliness is through intergenerational relationships.”
Backed by accredited training
“The CACHE qualification gives rigour, pride and legitimacy – ensuring staff can deliver the most beneficial and impactful care.”
Offers a model for lasting community impact
“Our hope is that every educational and care setting has a responsibility for intergenerational practice – helping to heal our fractured society.”
Encourages empathy and understanding
"We live in a fractured society. Intergenerational helps to know each other, live together, learn together, grieve and celebrate together."
The accredited training underlining it all
Intergenerational care is most impactful when delivered by skilled, confident practitioners – and that’s where accredited training plays a vital role. NCFE is proud to be the only UK awarding organisation offering a qualification that supports this work.
The CACHE-accredited qualification in intergenerational practice equips staff with the knowledge and tools to create safe, purposeful and enriching environments where children and older adults can connect meaningfully. It covers key areas such as safeguarding, emotional development, activity planning and inclusive practice.
As Janet King explains: “The CACHE qualification gives rigour, a sense of achievement and pride. Whether you're in health and social care or early years education, it brings everything together to support impactful, inclusive practice.”
Dr Judith-Ish Horowicz MBE HonsDEd, founder of Apples and Honey Nightingale, adds: "Accreditation gives us the legitimacy to say, this is how you can actually develop and support people to deliver the most beneficial and the most impactful training.”
Together, this training ensures that intergenerational programmes are not only inspiring, but also professionally grounded and built to last.
Looking to embed customised staff training into your setting?
Explore how NCFE can help you grow your bespoke learning offer through our Accreditation and Employer Services – we'd love for you to get in touch with our friendly team, who can assist you with your journey towards creating your own Customised Qualifications.