NURSERIES and care homes are being invited to join forces and look after the elderly and children in the same place.

Elly Hargreave from Brighton is running a project called Intergenerational Care UK to support organisations interested in working together.

She is now hoping to hear from care homes in Brighton and Hove and surrounding areas with a site that could accommodate a nursery.

She also wants to hear from nurseries interested in exploring the idea of co-location.

This could start with regular care home visits to see how the idea works.

An increasing birth rate and ageing population mean there is a growing need for appropriate and beneficial care for both generations.

The project aims to build on the success of similar schemes projects in Singapore, Japan, USA, Canada, Australia and parts of Europe.

The first UK nursery opens on a care home site, Nightingale House in south London, this September.

Ms Hargreave said: “I saw great examples of intergenerational care on social media.

“It got me thinking that instead of just wishing we had it here - I should see if I could actually work with others to help to make it happen.

“I applied successfully for an initial grant from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation to help this all take off and it is certainly taking off.

“I’m looking for more funder support now too.”

The care home and the nursery continue to operate as individual organisations, accommodating their specific needs and regulations.

The nursery moves to the care home either to existing land space or by converting building space.

They can work together, sharing interaction, fun and resources such as dining, activities and gardens as well as saving on overheads.

Similar projects in other countries have benefited from substantial cost savings, freeing up resources for improved care and facilities.

They have also importantly observed health, wellbeing and community benefits for all involved – staff, users of all ages and their families.

Ms Hargreave said: “There’s a hugely positive response to intergenerational care.

“People instantly understand the variety of benefits it offers the whole community.”

Ms Hargreave is in active conversation with the teams behind the London nursery and care home Apples and Honey at Nightingale.

Any private or charity-run nurseries or care homes interested in the project can contact Ms Hargreave by emailing elly@intergenerationalcare.co.uk or contacting her via Twitter @careacrossages.