Where children and music fill residential aged care with life and laughter.

 “Definitely one of the most wholesome hours of my entire week, and I only wish it could be expanded to other families and facilities across Melbourne.”

– Emma, participating parent

What’s the idea?

Four mornings and two afternoons each week, several aged care homes in Melbourne’s outer east are brought to life by the sound of young kids singing, dancing and playing instruments – along with the older people who live there. 

When the children float in, some residents who rarely leave their room are seen hurrying to the common space to take up a seat. One, who usually can’t talk anymore, can be heard singing. Other residents seem engaged, content and joyful in a way that staff say they haven’t seen before. 

With parents and their children seated on the floor, and older residents in a circle of chairs around them, instruments, ribbons and other props are handed around. ‘Little Buddies’ pass things to their ‘Big Buddies’, and invite them into the songs and activities. With music as the Trojan Horse, conversations naturally strike up around the room – and often continue long after the official session time has ended.

It’s all part of an intergenerational music program created by the Melbourne charity Big Little Buddies. The sessions offer an accessible and uplifting weekday activity for parents with young kids at home – a chance to get out of the house, connect with others in the community, and bring joy to others in the process. And for residents in aged care, it’s a rare chance to interact with age groups that are mostly absent from their daily surrounds. As one staff member put it, ‘they don’t usually see babies here’.

It’s a simple, win-win idea that began while founder Monique was working at a primary school. After taking a group of students to visit the aged care home next door, she was struck by the warmth and connection that quickly emerged between the two generations. She started looking for other intergenerational programs that she could engage with, but was surprised to find none available. And so, she decided to create one herself.

Now going strong, and with hundreds of children and aged care residents connected, Monique is working on how to expand the model to more residences across Melbourne – reducing loneliness, bridging generational divides, and sparking joy – one song at a time.

“My 3-year-old asks me if we have BLB today every day. My children get so much out of this – helping other people, learning new songs, and having something different to enjoy with parents and older people.”

 – Laura, participating parent

What does it help us imagine?

There are so many things we love about this beautifully simple yet impactful model:

• It helps us imagine aged care as a place for community. One of the first things Monique noticed about aged care homes was how little parking they had. Then she realised why – they don’t expect many visitors. Part of the beauty of Big Little Buddies is how it transforms aged care into a shared space for multiple generations – offering somewhere for children and their parents to gather, learn and connect – while bringing fresh life and energy into spaces that are often, unfortunately, quiet and monotonous. Just think what could be possible if aged care homes became places for more community life to unfold, with diverse community groups and activities taking place within them!
  
• It shows how collective care benefits all. Aged care residents aren’t the only ones who often feel lonely and isolated. Anyone caring for young kids at home will know that those days can often feel long and lonesome, too. So for parents, Big Little Buddies offers a valued chance to get out of the house and connect with the wider community. For kids, there’s the delight of meeting and playing with their Big Buddies – many of whom become like ‘pseudo grandparents’, especially for those who grow up coming to the sessions over several years. And for older participants, the activity isn’t just about keeping them occupied, but offers a chance to participate in and support the care and development of young children – a role that is familiar and treasured to many.
  
• It helps with the pressures on our aged care system. Residential aged care is full of people who care about and want the best outcomes for their residents, but who struggle to provide the individual care and attention they would like to in the context of workforce shortages and tight regulatory and funding arrangements. Models like Big Little Buddies show what can be possible when communities lean in and become part of the picture, rather than relying on paid care staff alone. Overworked aged care staff describe the sessions as a beautiful chance to see their residents happy and at their best, and to breathe out for a moment – knowing that those in their charge are content and engaged. In a similar way, Monique is often inundated with gratitude from the family members of older people in the home, who are relieved to know that for at least a period of each week, their loved ones are enjoying company and connection with their wider community. 

Big Little Buddies shows that transforming aged care doesn’t always require expensive new infrastructure or major reform. It can start with something much simpler – opening the doors, inviting the community in, and letting music work its magic.

What can you do with this?

The beauty of this idea is that there are so many ways to get involved!

Start where you are 

• If you’re a parent and would like to bring your children along to a Big Little Buddies program, check out the current and upcoming programs on their website, or join the waitlist here. You might also like to suggest it as a shared activity with a friend or your mothers’/parents’ group – it’s a great container for keeping in touch! 
• Perhaps you’d like to support Big Little Buddies by volunteering or donating?
• Not in Melbourne? Look for other intergenerational programs near you via the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice’s Program Map.
• Keep the inspiration coming by tuning into Old People’s Homes for 4 Year Olds on ABC iView. 

Take it a step further

• If you or a loved one live in aged care, and you’d like to see a program like this running where you are, speak to your facility’s Lifestyle Coordinator, and have them contact Monique to explore starting a program. 
• Inspired to start an intergenerational program of your own? Get in touch with us if you’d like advice and support to take the first steps. You can also check out the courses and resources available via the AIIP, which are designed to help you on your way.