In this project, we create local partnerships with care homes for dependent people and build neighbourhood relations. In three care homes in the Mazovian Province, we conduct diagnoses and together with local partners develop a new space for cooperation – a local festival. The diagnoses aim to identify the potentials and needs of the homes, their residents and their surroundings. We are co-creating a new local festival, the celebration of which will be an opportunity for people living in care homes to meet people from their neighbourhoods. We want to ensure that such events attract residents and continue in future years.

The project is a response to the challenges of the projected increase in the number of older people in society. We see care homes and their surroundings as a community. They provide numerous opportunities to undertake joint activities, to allow prople to ‘learn about old age’, to create intergenerational bonds and to break down stereotypes. Furthermore, research from the Community Organisations. It Works campaign shows that in times of challenge due to the aftermath of the pandemic and war in Ukraine, there are deficits of kindness, togetherness and good news in society. This is why we want to support older people to stay active and independent for as long as possible, and to counteract their exclusion and loneliness. We want to share the experience of this project and encourage other institutions to do the same. We benefit from the experience of our Norwegian partner Bjerkaker LearningLab (BLL), which is supporting us with an inspiration package. Meanwhile, the Cotopaxi Association, together with youth groups, are preparing a documentary about the care homes. We believe that through this work, the young people will, in addition to their filmmaking skills, develop their ability to observe reality and learn how to empathise with others.