HARIBO UK and charity The Together Project are entering the second year of their partnership tackling loneliness across West Yorkshire, expanding their intergenerational music programme to six new care homes.
The announcement comes as official figures show 8% of people in Yorkshire and The Humber report feeling lonely often or always, compared to the national average of 7%.
The partnership centres on Songs & Smiles, a weekly music group held in local care homes where singing, movement, and play bring together older residents, parents, carers, and young children. Over the past year, nearly 200 sessions took place across West Yorkshire, bringing together more than 640 participants across six established locations.
Survey feedback shows 93% of residents and 97% of parents felt more part of their community after attending. Care home staff also noted positive changes in residents, with 97% reporting increased happiness, 73% noting a calmer mood, and 49% seeing increased energy levels.
Following its initial success, HARIBO’s continued funding will support the existing groups while expanding Songs & Smiles into six additional care homes in Morley, Garforth, Pudsey, Gipton, Wortley, and Gledhow. The initial partnership has also enabled The Together Project to secure further funding to maintain and grow the sessions long-term.
To mark the second year, HARIBO team members joined residents and young families for a special session at Castleford Lodge Care Home in Castleford.
“We’re incredibly proud to be entering the second year of our partnership with The Together Project,” said Phil Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer at HARIBO UK. “Over the past year, we’ve seen first-hand the difference Songs & Smiles can make, bringing people of different generations together and creating moments of connection, friendship and childlike happiness across West Yorkshire. As a business that has called West Yorkshire home for more than 50 years, supporting our local community is part of who we are.”
Alexa Sutheran, CEO of The Together Project, added: “Committed partnerships like ours with HARIBO give charities the stability to embed programmes within communities and maximise their impact over time. HARIBO’s continued support will enable us to reach even more older people, families and care homes across West Yorkshire.”
Melissa Cartlidge, from Castleford Lodge Care Home, noted: “Songs & Smiles brings so much joy to Castleford Lodge, connecting our residents with local parents and children through music, conversation and play. We see a real difference after every session – residents are happier, more engaged and have smiles on their faces.”
