Group: Intergenerational Music Making (IMM)
Project: Youth Social Action – Youth-led intergenerational training sessions and workshops
Grant: £9,000
Fund: General Fund
Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) aim to empower youth and foster their mental health resilience through innovative musical/creative health initiatives, with a primary focus on bridging generational gaps between young and old.
A grant from Heart of Bucks has been transformative for IMM and the Youth Social Action project.
Youth Social Action brings people together across generations through music to reduce loneliness and isolation, whilst improving mental health and wellbeing. By providing physical spaces for young people to connect with different generations, exchange ideas, develop and thrive, they can build better understandings & awareness for their communities & the role they play within them.
Funding enabled the group to significantly expand the reach of the project to communities in Chesham, Denham, and Wycombe that were previously underserved. They created powerful training sessions that blended community awareness with music to enrich the lives of everyone involved. Community workshops brought generations together, held in care homes with participants dealing with loneliness and dementia. They strengthened bonds and equipped participants with skills for personal growth and social connection.
They also ran Creative Innovation Labs which were especially impactful, encouraging participants to come up with fresh solutions to local challenges, while actively making a positive difference in their communities.
The project has helped foster deep, meaningful connections across generations. Through workshops and reflection sessions, IMM have bridged the gap between young and old, nurturing understanding and empathy. For older adults, especially those facing dementia and isolation, these tailored activities have been life-changing, promoting wellbeing and creating valuable opportunities for social interaction.
Case study
T faced challenges with low self-esteem and isolation before encountering IMM’s support. The Youth Social Action project provided a nurturing space for T, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
Through the Creative Training sessions, T discovered a passion for music, which became a medium for self-expression and collaboration with their peers. Participation in Creative Innovation Labs allowed T to channel their creativity into designing activities for older adults facing challenges such as dementia and isolation. Witnessing the impact of their ideas on others ignited a sense of purpose in T and motivated them to further engage with the community.
Intergenerational Community Workshops provided T with further opportunities to form meaningful connections with older adults, bridging generational gaps and fostering mutual understanding. These interactions enriched T’s life and brought companionship to the older adults they engaged with.
Read more of our funding stories here.
