An initiative to bring generations together through a common enjoyment of poetry was recently launched in London’s British Library. But can generations that sometimes seem as though they are worlds apart, separated, or even pitted against each other, really be brought together by a few poems?
Poetry Together was founded in 2019 by Gyles Brandreth, to help young and old get together to enjoy poetry. “The project is a wonderful way to bring communities closer” says Brandreth. “We don’t need science to explain how special it can be when people from two ends of the generational spectrum get together and have a chat over a cup of tea.”
So, armed with cake and poems, our own little group of young volunteers from Cheam High School in South London arrives at Elmglade Care Home, and are invited warmly inside.
It has the clean smell of a hospital, but with a much more lived-in feel. The residents sit in comfy armchairs, and smile and wave at the children as they walk in. Or at least, a few do. Because everyone in this care home has dementia.
Small groups of children are paired up with one resident, and sit down for a chat over some cake. They learn about each other's lives, their stories, and dreams. The next week, the children write poems for the older people, and then return to perform the poems, and eat more cake.
A heartwarming Initiative, but what effect does it have on the people involved? “I love having the creative freedom to make our own poems” says Amy Wood, Year 7 student.
Cassie Morris, another Year 7 student, says “My favourite thing is working together.”
So it seems that the initiative is having a positive effect on children, as well as giving them an insight into the lives of those living in care homes. But it’s not just the children who benefit.
“For adults, evidence shows that learning poetry by heart can give you a happier and more successful life,” says Giles Brandreth.
Other sources, however, say that there isn’t a relationship between a healthy life and poetry. From my experience, I would say that even though there might not be any physical benefits, there are plenty of unseen positive emotional benefits to this experience.
Joseph Persad, the organiser of our group, says: “I feel that poetry gives everyone involved a sense of play, wonder, and imagination. I think these are often overlooked by our society”. It is clear to see the emotional impact of this scheme on the people taking part.
So, when a group of children set out to meet, write poems for, and generally get to know a group of old people living with dementia, there is a sort of magic there, of two generations that rarely mix, talking together through poetry.
