Caterplus, a leading caterer specialising in the care and retirement living sector, has linked up with Taylor Shaw and Edwards & Blake, specialist caterers in the education sector, to identify and connect local schools and retirement living communities to enable children and residents to collaborate in joint activities and experiences.

In an initial trial, links were created between seven schools and retirement communities – which were geographically close to each other – to celebrate the Coronation in May. Children in schools, where Taylor Shaw or Edwards & Blake provide the catering, created bookmarks, placemats and bunting to celebrate the Coronation which were then shared with residents living in retirement communities where Caterplus provides food services. Postcards were exchanged between the children and the residents with the latter sharing their memories of the previous Coronation or other Royal events over the years.

Twelve children from Dobcroft Junior School in Sheffield visited residents at Windsor House, a retirement living community in Sheffield, to share memories about the recent Coronation and previous Royal events and to discuss a typical day at school. Plans are now underway for further activities in September to share experiences of returning to school and memories from the summer holidays, to sing carols and decorate cakes at Christmas and to celebrate World Book Day.

Ann, a resident present at the visit, commented: “It was a wonderful tonic and has done the power of good for me and many of my fellow residents and we look forward to future visits.”

Nancy, a year 6 pupil at Dobcroft Junior School, added: “It was a great experience to listen to the views of the elderly residents and their memories of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation and how it compared to King Charles’ Coronation.”

Laura Tighe, managing director of Caterplus, said: “The benefits of intergenerational collaboration are many and as we are part of a larger business which operates in many sectors, this made it much easier to create these links and make them happen. The feedback has been wonderful both from the children and the residents and it is exciting that this is just the start of some great connections which we plan to expand and nurture over the coming year and beyond.”