Soup and Song – Intergenerational Project in School
Summary
The Soup & Song initiative at Cadoxton Primary School in Barry is an innovative intergenerational project designed to foster community connections and promote well-being across generations. The project’s main goal is to enhance social inclusion, reduce loneliness, and improve wellbeing by providing a space where individuals from different age groups can engage in meaningful activities.
For older adults, the project helps combat loneliness and isolation. It also promotes emotional wellbeing, as participants have the opportunity to engage in creative activities like singing and share experiences with younger generations. For children, the project fosters empathy and community involvement whilst challenging negative stereotypes of ageing.
During the sessions, pupils are actively involved in preparing a healthy soup with their parents and school volunteers. Together they chop and cook the ingredients and after the parents leave, the children prepare the space for their older guests to arrive. Once they have greeted their guests, children serve their homemade soup before sitting down to share the meal together. Following the meal, the group engages in fun games and songs.
The initiative aims to:
• Foster Positive Relationships: Children build positive, healthy relationships with their parents/carers through collaboration in the kitchen.
• Learn Life Skills: Children gain valuable life skills, such as food preparation, table setting, serving meals, and communication skills.
• Promote Healthy Eating: Children learn the importance of healthy eating while preparing a nutritious meal for themselves and others.
• Challenge Ageism Stereotypes: The project breaks down generational barriers and challenges negative stereotypes about ageing by bringing children and older people together.
Key facts
Main target group: Both younger and older people (i.e. intergenerational)
Sector(s): Education
Desired outcome for older people:
Build and maintain relationships
- Ageism
- Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
- Intergenerational activities
- Inclusion
- Participation