Adopt A Grandparent | Revolutionising Care Through Intergenerational Connections
By Shaleeza Hasham, Founder and CEO of Adopt a Grandparent
Shaleeza Hasham is a visionary leader in social care, serving as Commercial Director of CHD Living, Founder and CEO of Adopt a Grandparent (AAG), and Director of Spectrum Care Ltd. She also serves as an ambassador for Championing Social Care, an influential initiative dedicated to enhancing public understanding and appreciation of the social care sector. Passionate about care since childhood, Shaleeza's award-winning leadership continues to shape the sector’s future, making a profound and lasting impact.
In a rapidly ageing society, the challenge of social isolation among older adults is becoming increasingly urgent. In 2019, I founded Adopt A Grandparent with a mission to address this pressing issue. Initially a local initiative in Surrey, the programme quickly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic when the call to "virtually Adopt a Grandparent" attracted over 100,000 volunteers from around the world, including as far afield as Hawaii. Today, Adopt A Grandparent stands as a registered charity integrated with over 50 care homes across the UK, using cutting-edge technology to foster deep intergenerational interactions and combat loneliness.
The Transformative Power of Intergenerational Connections
Research consistently highlights the benefits of intergenerational programmes. Generations United reports a 20% reduction in loneliness among older adults participating in such initiatives. The World Health Organisation’s campaign against ageism suggests that engaging in intergenerational activities can extend life expectancy by up to seven and a half years. According to the Centre for Ageing Better, four out of five people desire connections with individuals from different age groups. Through Adopt A Grandparent, volunteers frequently report increased empathy and understanding, while older adults experience a stronger sense of community and belonging. These connections not only alleviate loneliness but also enhance overall physical health, mental health, and wellbeing, creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Bridging Generations with Technology
Adopt A Grandparent represents a pioneering approach to tackling social isolation by leveraging advanced technology. Its dedicated community app facilitates secure video and audio calls between older individuals and younger volunteers, creating a virtual space where stories and companionship can be shared safely and easily. Partnering with Together.ly, we utilise AI-driven software to personalise care, manage safeguarding issues, and enhance emotional engagement. This ensures that each interaction is safe and meaningful.
All Adopt A Grandparent volunteers undergo a comprehensive training programme designed by Barclays Digital Eagles. This training equips them with essential skills in digital communication, safeguarding, and understanding the specific needs of older individuals, including those living with dementia.
Care Homes
We have been overwhelmed by the number of care homes that have signed up to our programme and we know that providers acknowledge the physical and mental health benefits for residents that come with taking part. What many care homes don’t know is that the Adopt A Grandparent initiative is recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA), and the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DoE).
Participating in Adopt A Grandparent directly aligns with the objectives of the CQC’s new single assessment framework, which emphasises person-centred care, safety, and effective service delivery. By encouraging intergenerational connections, we enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of residents, ensuring that their care is holistic and personalised. The advanced AI technology provided by Together.ly monitors interactions to ensure safeguarding, and provides real-time feedback and emotional analytics, helping care providers understand residents better. This technology can monitor emotions during calls and provide detailed reports on the topics discussed, which we at Adopt A Grandparent, can then feedback to you, the care homes.
Our collaborations with platforms like carehome.co.uk and Autumna ensure that a care home's involvement with Adopt A Grandparent is prominently showcased. This visibility makes the home more attractive to potential residents and their families, who are often seeking facilities that offer comprehensive, compassionate, and engaging care. Being part of our renowned initiative signals a commitment to addressing the social and emotional needs of residents, which can be a decisive factor for families choosing a care home.
Real Stories
Jenny, a young volunteer, was paired with Gay, an elderly lady living with dementia. Through their regular exchanges, Gay rekindled her engagement with the world around her, experiencing a noticeable improvement in her mood and cognitive function. Gay, who had no short-term recall, started to recognise and remember Jenny after just five calls. For Jenny, the experience provided a new perspective on life, deepening her empathy and understanding of the ageing process.
Another example is the bond formed between Ruby Rose, an actor, and Iris, an 87-year-old movie enthusiast. Their weekly conversations and shared love for films brought immense joy to Iris, who often spoke of Ruby’s calls as the highlight of her week.
Recently, we also welcomed our first father and son team to virtually adopt grandparents in two UK care homes. Tristan, 15, and his 48-year-old father Jeff have formed meaningful relationships with 78-year-old David Abel and 74-year-old Margaret Smith from Surrey Heights and Kings Lodge care homes.
Pictured: Tristan, 15, speaking with his adopted Grandparent David, 74
Tristan joined the scheme to fulfil the volunteering section of his Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and was paired with David due to their shared love of football.
Jeff reflects on their experience,
“The process to apply was straightforward and pairing up with a suitable ‘grandparent’ occurred within a month or so. All the calls have been scheduled for times to suit everyone and both care homes have been very supportive throughout.
I've spoken to Margaret four times now and we get on really well, covering a variety of topics during the calls. It has certainly been an enjoyable programme so far and I would encourage others to sign up.”
Looking Ahead: Our Future Priorities
Our objectives for the next three years include increasing care home participation by strengthening partnerships and enhancing volunteer recruitment. We aim to ensure active participation by providing user-friendly technology and comprehensive training. Enhancing volunteer involvement is crucial, and we plan to identify local community volunteers to support new care homes and offer ongoing assistance. To support our growth, we will expand our administrative team and enhance our technological capabilities, including integrating Together.ly into our mobile app. Regular reporting and data analysis will drive continuous improvement, ensuring long-term success. Finally, we aim to grow our sponsor base and raise awareness through targeted outreach and strong relationships with sponsors, securing sustainable funding to support and scale our mission.
Adopt A Grandparent is committed to creating a society where older individuals feel valued, respected, and engaged with younger generations. By joining our programme, whether you are a volunteer, an adopted grandparent or someone working in the care sector, together, we can build a more connected, compassionate community for all generations.
For more information, visit www.adoptagrandparent.org.uk or email [email protected].