Boogie Mites Community Projects Portsmouth CIC have been successfully delivering Intergenerational Music across Portsmouth. We offer a lively interactive music that can be enjoyed by the old and young together. Our sessions offer Educational opportunities for under 5s Promote re use and recycle through songs, topics and the use of handmade instruments from recycled materials. Decrease social isolation and loneliness of the elderly and parents of young people, promoting cross generational friendships. Alongside promoting positive mental health and wellness through the use of music and movement. Parents and carers who attend our sessions say they have really benefited their child; they have seen their child's confidence, language skills increase. The elderly who attend have talked about how they can't wait for the children to arrive we have even had elderly people racing in with excitement to greet the families. Carers have commented that we have increased activity and conversation.

What we'll deliver:

• Intergenerational Music
• Reduce social Isolation
• Increase positive mood
• Increase literacy skills in the under 5s
• Promote positive mental health
• Build cross generational friendships

Why it's a great idea:

We have found that our sessions have increased happiness across all participants including staff, children, parent and carers and the elderly. They have also created a strong sense of community and being part of something worthwhile. The elderly really enjoyed supporting the children’s learning. The children benefited from making friends with the elderly. All benefited from being part of a diverse group. It is our belief that the children will grow up with more social understanding, studies from America show that children who have strong relationships with the elderly are more socially accepting and have better social skills. It is our aim to increase community participation of our Intergenerational group. Currently our groups are funded by parent / carers and care homes and although our we keep the costs as low as possible cost. We feel that this model is not sustainable long term, participation of carers and Care Home is often affected by lack of funds. We like to change this!

Steps to get it done:

• Pay for one family to enjoy music with residents
• Cover the cost of one session for all who attend
• One months sessions for all who attend
• A whole years sessions

Boogie Mites Community Projects Portsmouth is a not for profit CIC based in Portsmouth on the South Coast. Portsmouth is a large coastal city with a population of over 250000. The city is highly densely populated, a high proportion of the population living on the main island. The city has a large university, ferry port, visiting tourists as well as a very large naval port. Statistics show that Portsmouth has a higher than average immigration, lower levels of examination attainment and high unemployment and mental health issues. A higher number of residents live in social or rent housing than the national average. Boogie Mites Music is a structured educational music session that is proven to raise Literacy and Language skills within the under-fives. Initial studies and feedback of the adults who have taken part in our Intergenerational Music Groups have shown increased mental wellbeing, happier mood and an increased sense of community involvement.