At Little Bramingham Farm, our Luton-based residential care home, the care team has introduced a new fun, interactive and engaging bi-weekly activity for the residents – Intergenerational Musical Bumps.
Alex Martin who owns Musical Bumps Central Bedfordshire, a small business providing music groups, singing and fun for babies, toddlers and preschoolers with their parents and carers, attends Little Bramingham Farm care home during school term times every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for an interactive and inclusive Intergenerational Musical Bumps class.
“Our Intergenerational Musical Bumps classes at Little Bramingham Farm bring both the young and old generations together to make music, sing and have fun,” said Alex. “Each week the class includes traditional songs and rhymes, playing instruments, singing with puppets, movement through action songs and dancing and so much more – I make sure that every Wednesday there is something for everyone and every generation to enjoy.”
Commenting on the success of the weekly Musical Bumps classes, Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm said: “Our Activities Coordinator Karen Charity and I wanted to give our residents a new and exciting intergenerational activity to participate in. When we spoke to Alex, the Musical Bumps class seemed to be an exciting and creative option. Since the classes started, we haven’t looked back, it was definitely the right choice for our residents, they adore it.”
“All the intergenerational activities we arrange at Little Bramingham Farm have a positive impact on our residents. They not only enhance the quality of life for our residents, but they also support mental and physical wellbeing, provide great opportunities for interactions and socialising and provide additional stimulation,” added Karen.
“Music and singing are wonderful, shared activities for parents and carers to do with babies and children which can help with many aspects of early years development including speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, social and emotional development and those all-important musical skills,” added Alex. “For the older generation, the classes provide a creative and entertaining activity which stimulates both the body and mind – music, and especially singing, can unlock memories and reach parts of the brain in ways that other forms of communication just cannot.
“The intergenerational classes also offer the residents a nice and open way to engage with the babies, children and their parents. We see the residents light up when they are watching small children exploring, and they also love watching the interaction between parents, carers and their little ones.”
“Our residents thoroughly enjoy their weekly Musical Bumps class and look forward to seeing the babies, toddlers and their families. It’s wonderful to see the interactions taking place, our residents don’t stop smiling the whole time. It is a beautiful way to create meaningful connections and enhance the quality of life for everyone involved.” Emma continued.
“In the photos we have taken of the weekly Musical Bumps class, you can see just how happy and engaged our residents are. It’s said that a picture speaks a thousand words, and you can certainly see just how happy and delighted everyone is in ours,” concluded Emma.
Find out more about Little Bramingham Farm care home by calling 01582 582 433 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.