At Little Bramingham Farm, our Luton-based residential care home, the residents have been celebrating this year’s Global Intergenerational Week with their fun-filled, interactive and engaging fortnightly, term-time, activity – Intergenerational Musical Bumps – run by Musical Bumps Central Bedfordshire.
During the intergenerational sessions, the residents enjoy music, singing and other activities with the babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, who are accompanied by their parents and carers. “Musical Bumps visit Little Bramingham Farm every other Wednesday during school term times,” said Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at the care home. “Interacting with toddlers offers great, mutually beneficial physical, cognitive, and emotional advantages for the residents. The sessions also sharpen cognitive functions and nurture a sense of purpose. In addition, for the toddlers, babies and pre-schoolers, these connections develop empathy, patience, and communication skills.”
“The residents have a really uplifting time with Musical Bumps Central Bedfordshire,” continued Karen Charity, the Activities Coordinator at Little Bramingham Farm. “They are always present and active which helps to sharpen their memories and improve brain function. Enjoying time with the energetic toddlers and babies also encourages the residents to move more, which in turn, improves their mobility, flexibility, and overall physical health.”
The Musical Bumps Team have been visiting the residents at Little Bramingham Farm for over three years delivering the sociable and interactive sessions. “All the residents thoroughly enjoy and look forward to the time they spend with the toddlers,” added Emma. “To be able to bring the older and younger generations together in an imaginative and creative way to make music, play instruments, sing, dance, take part in different artistic activities such as puppetry and bubble art is not only a joy to see, but also a great experience for the residents to be involved with.”
“Spending time with the residents teaches the Musical Bumps children to be gentle and patient, and the toddlers benefit from communicating with them as they show a genuine interest in their play and speech,” continued Karen. “Additionally, the sessions support the residents’ mental and physical wellbeing by providing a wonderful way for them to interact and socialise with the parents and children.”
The regular visits from Musical Bumps Central Bedfordshire also provide a lovely reminiscing exercise for the residents. Hazel Short, who has been a resident at Little Bramingham Farm since May 2025, looks forward to seeing the children. “It’s wonderful to see the little ones having so much fun, their visits really make me smile and I really enjoy playing all the games and singing along to all the songs with them.”
“There’s always so much going on at the care home, but the visits from Musical Bumps are one of my favourites,” added Bridget Brennan, who make Little Bramingham Farm her home in July 2025. “The laughter is infectious and it’s super to see them having so much fun.”
“Having the children visit is also a good reminiscing exercise for the residents as they often chat about their own children and families,” added Karen.
“The residents really enjoy spending time with the children and the care home becomes even more animated and active when they visit – and Alex Martin, who runs the sessions, always ensures there’s plenty going on for everyone to take part in and enjoy,” concluded Emma.
Find out more about Little Bramingham Farm care home by calling 01582 582 433 or emailing [email protected].