Tops Day Nurseries have worked closely with Boogie Mites over the last 3 years, and currently run weekly sessions across all of our Nursery settings. In 2018 we were asked if we would consider working with Boogie Mites on an intergenerational evaluation project – we eagerly agreed!
What were the Aims of the Evaluation?
- AIM 1 – to measure the impact on wellbeing by all those involved
- AIM 2 – to measure the impact on Community Cohesion.
- AIM 3 – to gain an understanding of BM’s Practitioner’s perspective in establishing and delivering BM Intergenerational Project.
Over the last 8-months, an evaluation has been underway in two care homes and a day centre in Portsmouth. These settings care for older people and have been visited by children from Tops Lakeside on a weekly basis for Intergenerational music magic.
An evaluation of Boogie Mites Intergenerational Music Programme
Impact on Wellbeing
The aggregate self-reported mood ratings from all three projects show an overall decrease in lower mood ratings, and a solid increase in elevated mood ratings. Overall themes emerging from the questionnaires regarding wellbeing revealed participants felt ‘happy’, ‘energised’ and ‘uplifted’ in particular.
The effect on wellbeing for participants is multifaceted, and there are many reasons why this occurred, including the music itself, the interactions taking place and the role of the Boogie Mites leader. In addition, the staff and older adults working in the care homes and day centre cited the presence of the children as a factor in their increased wellbeing
Impact on Community Cohesion
It is clear from the observations that positive relationships within the sessions had been developed to varying levels, and the beginnings of increased community cohesion at an institutional level could be seen, particularly in setting 1. This could be due to the fact this setting had run intergenerational projects previously and therefore intergenerational work did not have to be advocated for through the Boogie Mites projects. However, there were also initial glimpses of community cohesion in the other two settings, with setting 3 inviting parents to an event and setting 2 meeting on a monthly basis to take part in other intergenerational activities.
Wider Benefits
Other unexpected outcomes in relation to wellbeing was the development of confidence and social skills for all participants. In addition to the two above aims being assessed, it was interesting that participation in the projects seemed to improve either confidence or social skills (and sometimes both) for all participants, regardless of age or role. (children, parents, EY practitioners, care-home staff, elderly participants). In particular, care-home staff and Nursery practitioners felt more confident to sing or lead music activities in their settings.
There were also musical skills gained by both the children, nursery practitioners and the older adults.
You can read justification for each of these elements in the full report.
We are delighted that the evaluation has identified some key benefits of taking part in Boogie Mites for all involved. We know the children love taking part at the settings.
