Sparkle is an Intergenerational Community project that brings older and younger people together, on a regular basis, for mutual benefit.
Sparkle has saved me from crippling loneliness.
Activity
A session leader, together with volunteers, will be able create a Sparkle intergenerational community using activities and session plans from our resource pack. A Sparkle community can host a single intergenerational session or multiple sessions and a day programme including seated exercise, a warm lunch and a short church service called 'Sparkle Saints'
Time
It takes between 1 and 3 months to set up the project including securing funding, finding partner school/nursery, recruiting/training session leader, recruiting/training volunteers and marketing the project. A full Sparkle session runs for 4 hours with set-up/pack down either side, but it is possible to run a truncated session which would require less funding and resources. Session leader will need to be there for the length of the session plus one hour of prep and admin time.
Cost
A full Sparkle day in year 1 costs between £8-10K, depending on how equipment is needed. This includes session facilitator salary, exercise trainer costs, marketing, catering and craft costs. Ongoing years are approx. £8K. It is possible to run a shorter session with fewer elements (ie no exercise, only one intergenerational session) and this would be between £2-5K depending on what was offered.
Partnership
Partnerships will be needed with a local school and nursery. Relationships will also need to be formed with social prescribers, older people's forums, sheltered accommodation officers and also council older people's services.
Support
We will provide training for session facilitators and training resources for volunteers. We will provide support throughout the set-up process, including help to secure funding. We will provide session plans and resources with ongoing support available.
Resources
Available space midweek which is fully accessible and warm. Usable kitchen. Fold-away tables and stackable chairs (including some with arms). Storage for craft items.
People
The project will need one session facilitator to lead the project, organise the activities and manage the volunteers.
At least 3 volunteers are needed to run each session (3 people doing a whole session or a rota of multiple people). The role of the volunteer is to help with set-up/pack down, lunch preparation/serving/clear-up, craft preparation and engaging with all participants.
Replications
Sparkle has:
Replications
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