STAY & PLAY

ACROSS THE AGES

Free stay-and-play sessions offering calm, inclusive play that connects generations.

Gentle sessions bringing young children and care-home residents together in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Dementia-friendly, pressure-free, with safeguarding at the heart of everything we do.

ATTEND ABOUT CONTACT HOST AN EVENT
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ATTEND

Families and childminders are welcome to attend Stay & Play sessions hosted in local care homes. Sessions are calm, low-pressure, and designed to feel comfortable for everyone.

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ABOUT

Laura – Stay & Play

Stay & Play: Across the Ages offers free, calm and inclusive intergenerational sessions that bring young children (up to age 4) and older adults in care homes together through shared play, music, simple crafts and gentle activities.

Research shows that positive interaction across generations can support wellbeing, mood and engagement in older adults, including those living with dementia. Children also benefit by developing empathy, communication skills and confidence through calm, meaningful interaction with older adults.

Each session follows a clear, predictable structure, with optional participation at every stage, ensuring everyone can take part in a way that feels comfortable and pressure-free. This structured approach allows sessions to be delivered free of charge for families, recognising that there are already significant costs involved in raising young children and ensuring accessibility for all.

Sessions are delivered by Laura, a qualified childcare professional with experience across private schools, nursery settings and family environments. Laura holds an Enhanced DBS check, is fully insured, and delivers all sessions with a strong focus on safeguarding, wellbeing and professionalism. Free refreshments are provided at each session.

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CONTACT

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HOST AN EVENT

Stay & Play: Across the Ages sessions are designed to be hosted within care homes, where residents feel safe, comfortable and well-supported.

Sessions take place in a suitable communal area within the home and are planned in collaboration with the care team to ensure they fit the needs, routines and preferences of residents. Participation is always optional — residents are welcome to take part actively, observe quietly, or simply enjoy the shared atmosphere.

Our sessions are calm, inclusive and designed to support person-centred care, wellbeing and positive social interaction in a way that feels natural and pressure-free.

How sessions support care homes

Hosting a Stay & Play session can help care homes demonstrate good practice in everyday activity provision and community engagement.

Sessions support:

  • Caring – warm, respectful interactions that promote dignity, emotional wellbeing and enjoyment
  • Responsive – activities adapted to residents’ cognitive ability, mobility and sensory needs
  • Safe – clear safeguarding procedures, risk assessments and professional boundaries
  • Well-led – collaborative planning with staff and thoughtful, organised delivery

Sessions offer meaningful engagement without overstimulation and allow residents to participate at their own pace.

What we provide

All Stay & Play: Across the Ages sessions are:

  • Delivered by a qualified childcare professional
  • Dementia-friendly, calm and low-noise
  • Fully risk assessed, insured and safeguarding-led
  • Adaptable to residents’ mobility, confidence and cognitive needs
  • Designed to encourage connection while respecting individual choice

Care homes do not need to provide additional resources or staffing beyond normal supervision. Sessions are delivered alongside the activities coordinator or care team to ensure they are safe, respectful and aligned with existing practices.

Working with your home

We work in line with each care home’s policies and procedures, including:

  • Safeguarding and visitor guidance
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Risk assessments and health & safety expectations

Our aim is to complement existing activity provision, not create extra work for staff.

Supporting inspection readiness

Stay & Play: Across the Ages sessions help care homes evidence meaningful activity, person-centred care and positive community engagement in everyday practice.

Sessions can support inspection conversations by demonstrating:

  • Residents are offered purposeful, inclusive activities that promote wellbeing
  • Engagement is dementia-friendly and adaptable, rather than one-size-fits-all
  • Safeguarding, dignity and risk management are embedded throughout delivery
  • The home is outward-looking, welcoming safe and structured community involvement

Feedback from residents and staff can also be used as supporting evidence of quality and impact.

Free pilot sessions

We offer free pilot sessions to allow care homes to experience Stay & Play in practice, gather feedback from residents and staff, and assess suitability for ongoing sessions.

If you would like to discuss hosting a pilot or explore how a session could work within your setting, please get in touch.