Our mission
The Together Project is the national charity that boosts wellbeing, reduces loneliness and fosters stronger, happier communities through joyful intergenerational experiences.
BACKGROUND
Age segregation is a huge problem for the UK and it’s been getting worse for 25 years.
Britain’s ‘age apartheid’ has left many older people isolated and institutionalised and deprives younger people of the experience and wisdom they can offer. Loneliness is now one of the biggest threats to the physical and mental health of all generations*.
*source - A country for all ages: ending age apartheid in Brexit Britain, United For All Ages January 2017.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY
The Together Project designs joy-filled creative activities that are rolled out at scale to reach as much of the UK as possible. Each activity brings together at least two different age groups who might not normally come into regular contact, with a focus on fun and friendship.
“Investment should be made in intergenerational contact interventions, which aim to foster interaction between people of different generations.”
OUR VISION
A connected, inclusive society in which everyone has the opportunity to form joyful intergenerational friendships.
THE IMPACT WE'RE HAVING
In 2023, our three main programs - Songs & Smiles, Crafting Connections, and We are Friends - touched the lives of 3,006 beneficiaries. Yet, it's more than just numbers. With your support, we've connected little ones, their grownups, and older people living in care homes/assisted living schemes through the joy of music, movement, and laughter. We've fostered long-lasting friendships by pairing children with older people in monthly creative activities. And we've brought together older residents of Waltham Forest, children, and their caregivers in libraries throughout the borough, through the magic of storytelling and song.
So you can delve deeper, we’ve released our 2023 impact reports alongside our first Annual Report for all to see. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
“Research shows that every £1 invested in tackling loneliness can save £3 in health costs”
AWARD WINNING
This award from GrandNanny recognises how hard our team is working to connect communities across generations, to deter ageism and age segregation, and for bringing joy to people and communities. Read their blog Innovative Intergenerational Projects Awards for Charities by Olivia Day, for Global Intergenerational Week 2023.
HOW WE’RE FUNDED
The Together Project is a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), having converted from a Community Interest Company in November 2020. Our charity number is 1192175.
We're financed by a mixture of trade income, grants and donations.
Donations are an incredibly important source of income for us. If you'd like to help fund our work, you can give a one-off or regular payment via credit/debit card or Paypal. Visit our Support Us page - it's quick and simple!
WE'RE SUPPORTED BY...
“The Songs & Smiles session flowed smoothly and I was amazed by the inter-generational interaction between the younger visitors and the older residents: children smiling and talking to residents as they distributed and collected the instruments, and the residents responding with kind words to the children. The atmosphere was very relaxed and everybody seemed to really enjoy the session. I loved that songs from bygone days and nursery rhymes were used alternatively to encourage movements. One thing that I will never forget is the image of that resident, who shared the same name as a younger visitor, dancing all the way throughout the session. Fantastic!”
“As a child minder, of 23 years, Songs & Smiles is the best thing I have done in the community - it makes my heart melt!”
WHO WE ARE
Louise Goulden, Founder & CEO
Louise was inspired to set up The Together Project in 2017 whilst on maternity leave from her marketing career. Having experienced the profound change that parenthood brings, she wanted to feel more connected to her local community and created a grassroots project that would unite age groups for mutual benefit. It was an instant hit and Louise channelled her professional expertise into growing The Together Project to reach national scale.
Elin de Zoete, Trustee (Vice Chair)
Elin is a Director at Bite Back 2030, a charity campaigning for child health. She is also a Non-Executive Director of ImpactEd, a not-for-profit company which helps to evaluate, understand and improve impact in education. Before joining Bite Back, Elin was Managing Director at communications agency, PLMR. Throughout her career Elin has championed social inclusion projects, from launching the UK’s first social supermarket, to representing nurseries, schools and care providers and volunteering with intergenerational arts charity, MagicMe. She is also a school governor in her local area and is passionate about building social bonds across communities.
Jon Clyne, Trustee (Treasurer)
Jon has over 30 years’ experience as a transport, regulatory and financial economist in the public and private sectors, specialising in the economics of major transport projects. He has extensive senior and board level experience in the UK and international transport industry.
Jon believes the Together Project provides an innovative approach to the problem of inter-generational loneliness. As a regular and long-term visitor to a family member in a care home in Waltham Forest, he has a strong understanding of the benefits the Together Project brings to care home residents. His caring responsibilities have given him a deep insight into the downsides of loneliness and the benefits of regular company to care home residents. “I believe in the Together Project’s mission and priorities, and am looking forward to be part of the development journey.”
Kelly Keating, Trustee (Chair)
Kelly is a Transformation Programme Manager for JP Morgan Chase. She has held leadership roles in change and business improvement across corporate and not for profit sectors over the last 10 years. Whilst on maternity leave three years ago, she founded an intergenerational singing and storytelling group at a local care home with the aim of reducing social isolation. Experiencing first hand the mutual benefits of this activity inspired her to join The Together Project’s board.
Ashley Alleyne, Trustee
Ashley is a Structural DEI consultant with over 15 years of experience across social media, digital strategy, crisis management, and DEI facilitation. He now works with organisations to embed inclusion as tangible strategies, tools, and processes. His drive for creating belonging - and admiration for The Together Project's vision - made him an immediate advocate of the organisation, and he's thrilled to be able to contribute to the growth of that vision as a Board Trustee.
Alicia Luther-Jones, Trustee
Alicia is the Philanthropy Manager at Womankind Worldwide, an international women’s rights organisation; she looks after relationships with corporate partners, major donors and an annual fundraising Gala event. Alicia has worked in fundraising for nearly 10 years, previously having worked at Barnardo’s and Girlguiding. Key areas of expertise include writing and delivering fundraising strategy and cultivating and stewarding donors effectively to maximise their donations. Having followed The Together Project's work she was delighted to see that The Together Project was looking for a trustee to add value from a fundraising perspective and is now privileged to sit on the Board.
Nisha Goyal, Trustee (Safeguarding Lead)
Nisha started her care sector career in 2016 when she joined Hallmark Care Homes. Since, she has gained experience as Financial Controller and HR Business Partner, giving her the passion, insight and confidence to operate her own care home business. In 2019, Nisha co-founded Principle Care Homes. She is passionate about delivering exceptional care through creating close communities with a sense of belonging for all.
Frances Brownhill, Trustee
Frances has 18 years of banking and finance experience and is currently co-head of the European financial sponsors coverage business at Standard Chartered Bank. She is actively involved in the early careers programme, supporting the development of interns and graduates and providing mentorship. Frances has previously volunteered with Age UK as a befriender where she witnessed the loneliness that many older people face. She was moved by The Together Project’s mission and is excited to have joined the charity as a trustee.
“We’ve loved our Songs & Smiles experience. I look forward to it all week and always spend the rest of the day in a great mood!””
