Reflection: Sparkletogether in Wandsworth – Intergenerational Practice in Action
As part of the Apples and Honey Nightingale Certificate in Intergenerational Practice, I joined fellow students and the Nightingale team for a visit to Sparkletogether, an inspiring community-based intergenerational initiative operating across South-West London. Our session took place in a modest church hall in Wandsworth, but what unfolded inside was anything but ordinary.
From the moment we arrived, the programme’s commitment to safeguarding and community accountability was evident. Each adult was signed in on arrival, and the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and well-organised. Many of the older participants known affectionately as “Grandfriends” came from the local community, with some referred from nearby care homes. Every Grandfriend is interviewed before joining, ensuring the programme supports their interests, wellbeing, and readiness to engage.
The session itself was lively and joyful. One Grandfriend played the organ with theatrical flair to accompany a children’s story, creating a shared moment of delight and connection. Afterwards, stickers were handed out with care, and the group joined in a round of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” young and old singing together in rhythm and laughter.
What struck me most was the diversity of the older adults present. Many clearly valued not only the children’s presence but also the opportunity to connect with others from their community, people they might not ordinarily socialise with. Sparkletogether is not just about bridging generations; it’s about weaving new social fabrics within neighbourhoods.
Volunteers supporting the programme were themselves learning about intergenerational practice, and the initiative is evolving,adapting to the needs of its participants and the wider community. It’s a living model, shaped by those who show up and share.
After the session, we walked back towards Wandsworth Park, reflecting on what we’d seen. We paused at a cemetery, drawn in by a striking life-size memorial of a pony and wagon, a tribute to a local man known for breeding horses. It was a quiet moment of local history and remembrance, adding depth to the day’s experience.
Sparkletogether offers a practical, low-barrier model of intergenerational engagement. It shows how simple, structured activities such asstorytelling, music, and movementcan foster connection, reduce isolation, and build empathy across generations. Its flexibility, local partnerships, and evolving practice make it a strong example of how intergenerational models can be embedded in everyday community life.
For Aotearoa, Sparkletogether offers lessons in scalability, cultural responsiveness, and community ownership. It reminds us that intergenerational practice doesn’t always require purpose-built facilities, it can thrive in church halls, parks, and neighbourhoods, wherever people are willing to connect.