How the Together Project is spreading joy across generations

“The UK doesn’t really have the practice of living in multigenerational homes that other cultures do. We are one of the most age-segregated countries in the world; as we grow older, we tend to move away from family, forming bubbles of people who are the same age, who think like us and talk like us. That can lead to issues like loneliness, ageism and social isolation,” said Louise Goulden, founder of The Together Project. “Our mission is to change this and instead connect generations through joy.”

The Together Project is a winner of the 2023 Xero Beautiful Business Fund in the ‘Strengthening Community category,’ and deepens intergenerational connections within communities nationwide. We sat down with founder Louise Goulden to learn how the charity is tackling isolation, one shared moment at a time, and what impact the winnings have had on their community. 

Forging intergenerational bonds through song and art

Louise founded The Together Project in 2017, spurred by her own experience of isolation after becoming a new mother. “I went from having a very busy, energetic professional career to suddenly [being] stuck at home, unable to have a shower and get dressed because I had a very clingy baby,” she shared. This experience of disconnection led Louise to think about how many others might be feeling isolated, especially older adults in care homes.

Out of this realisation came Songs & Smiles, the charity’s flagship program which brings young children, their parents, and older adults together in care homes. “We sing songs, blow bubbles, dance with coloured scarves,” Louise explained. “It’s designed to be the most uplifting hour of the week.” After the music, participants sit down for tea and biscuits, creating a relaxed environment where connections flourish.

The Together Project also runs Crafting Connections, an arts-and-crafts program that pairs children with older adults in care settings. “It’s like a pen-pal scheme but through arts and crafts,” said Louise. Every month, participants exchange handmade artwork and letters, which helps foster relationships.

Bringing generations closer with the Xero Beautiful Business Fund

Over the last year, The Together Project has been rapidly expanding its operations. “We’ve expanded our services to new geographical locations and created some new projects as well, so it’s been a really exciting 12 months for us,” Louise noted.

However, as is the case with many small charities, rising costs and inflation increasingly threaten The Together Project’s ability to serve its beneficiaries. “It’s a really challenging time for a lot of small charities in the UK… there’s a lot of pressure and increased demand for funding and increased service demands, [especially with] the cost of living crisis,” she added.

When Louise heard about the Xero Beautiful Business Fund, the opportunity seemed like a perfect fit. “We got an email about the fund, and I thought, this is definitely something that’s worth us spending a bit of time on,” Louise recalled. The entry process was straightforward, involving a short video submission, and The Together Project was thrilled to be chosen as a winner.

Louise knew exactly where to put the money. “We used the funding to help support the salary of a new team assistant within the organisation,” she explained. This new role became crucial in expanding Songs & Smiles, managing everything from outreach to bookings, allowing the charity to scale its efforts without being stretched too thin. “Laura is intrinsic in the day-to-day management of the program.”

Thanks to the winnings, Songs & Smiles has since expanded to an additional 15 care homes, reaching even more people with their intergenerational programs. “It’s made a very tangible difference to what we’re able to offer,” Louise acknowledged. 

Towards a more connected tomorrow

As The Together Project looks to the future, the team remains ambitious. “We’re having some really exciting conversations about partnerships with other nonprofits and local authorities,” Louise hinted. Their goal is to continue expanding programs like Songs & Smiles and Crafting Connections to bring more generations together and further reduce social isolation.

With the support of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund and the passion of their team, The Together Project is poised to continue building a more connected future — one song, one craft, and one joyful connection at a time.

The 2023 winners of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund are an incredible group of small businesses and nonprofits who are passionate about solving problems and making an impact in their local communities. We spotlighted some of our past winners to hear more about how the fund has impacted their business and helped them achieve their goals. Stay tuned as winners of the 2024 Xero Beautiful Business Fund will be announced at the end of October 2024.