At Boogie Beat Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian, I have the privilege of working in many wonderful care homes across our local communities. And whilst the intergenerational magic that happens between the residents and the children is always the part people notice first, there is often somebody quietly working behind the scenes making that magic possible — the activities coordinator.
Today, I wanted to give a very special shout out to Maureen, the Activities Coordinator at Spring Gardens Care Home.
Maureen has one of those truly special hearts. She is kind, caring, compassionate, and you can immediately see how deeply she knows and understands the residents she supports every single day. Her role goes far beyond simply organising a timetable or booking activities into a diary. She is the person encouraging residents to come along, helping them feel safe and comfortable, supporting participation, and creating the warm atmosphere that makes sessions successful.
In many ways, it reminds me so much of working in nurseries.
Just like nursery practitioners know which children may need additional support, encouragement, or adaptations to help them participate confidently, activities coordinators know their residents incredibly well too. They understand personalities, preferences, anxieties, routines, and what helps each individual feel secure and included.
Before sessions, Maureen will often quietly let me know if a resident is having a difficult day, if someone may need a gentler approach, or if there is something that might particularly encourage engagement. Those small conversations make such a huge difference — not only for supporting the residents themselves, but also for ensuring the children and residents together feel safe, relaxed, and able to genuinely connect.
I have already written about some of the incredible residents at Spring Gardens and the impact these sessions can have, which you can read here: https://boogiebeat.co.uk/why-intergenerational-matters/
I have also previously written about the importance of nursery staff participating in sessions too, because the truth is — Boogie Beat has always been about community. It is never just about the person leading at the front of the room. – https://boogiebeat.co.uk/nursery-staff/
The most successful sessions happen when everybody works together.
I have absolutely experienced sessions where an activities coordinator has been off that day, or perhaps unable to join in as much, and honestly, there is a noticeable difference. You can give 110% as the activity provider, but these sessions are built on relationships, trust, familiarity, and teamwork.
When the activities coordinator joins in, smiles, laughs, and participates alongside the residents, it creates safety.
Sometimes we are asking residents to do things that might feel a little outside their comfort zone — perhaps playing peekaboo with scarves, singing loudly, dancing, or being playful in ways they maybe haven’t been for a long time. But when they see somebody they know and trust taking part too, it gives them permission to relax into the experience.
Exactly the same thing happens with children.
As humans, we are constantly scanning our environment looking for safe connection. We are asking ourselves:
Is this a safe place?
Can I join in?
Can I be silly here?
Will I be accepted?
And when the answer becomes yes, the benefits are enormous.
The smiles, the laughter, the eye contact, the conversation, the emotional connection — those moments matter deeply. The endorphins and sense of belonging that come from shared experiences are incredibly powerful for both the children and the residents.
So whilst this blog is a huge thank you to Maureen specifically, it is also a celebration of all the incredible activities coordinators working in care homes everywhere. The people who facilitate community, create opportunities for connection, encourage participation, and help bring generations together.
To all of you who welcome us in, support the sessions, join in wholeheartedly, and help create these beautiful moments — we think you are absolutely wonderful.
Written by Mairi Curle Owner Franchisee of Boogie Beat Edinburgh Mid and East Lothian