I am a childcare development worker for Torbay's local authority and I lead on the early years intergenerational programme.

My Fellowship focused on intergenerational co-location in the USA (early years classrooms and childcare based in residential care homes) and enabled me to explore the benefits that come from intergenerational learning. As we had developed an intergenerational visitation programme within Torbay, I wanted to see what difference it made to the participants if the engagements happened daily rather than weekly, exploring how intergenerational relationships improved children's confidence and self-esteem and impacted upon their ability to learn.

Since my Fellowship I have set up the first co-located programme with childminders working from a care home – this received a national award. I have also published an intergenerational activities book and become an intergenerational tutor, trainer and speaker.

Many Torbay settings and care homes have now developed an element of intergenerational practice and, as a consequence, the community has a better understanding of the benefits that come from bringing the young and the old together.