Review of key mechanisms in intergenerational practices, and their effectiveness at reducing loneliness/social isolation

4.3 Whilst projects like these have mutually beneficial outcomes, in order for them to succeed the people involved need to have a vested interest in the activity and the cultural context of younger and older people should guide the design and shape of any intervention22,23. [...] An important point was that there needed to be a key figure/leader with the capacity to drive the project forwards, make others aware of the benefits and perhaps begin to embed the work in the community by involving external partners and mainstreaming the activities. [...] There was also the issue of levels of tiredness for older and younger people and limiting the length of the sessions to take this into account. [...] It was reported that ‘they [older people] appreciate someone who listens to them and gives them the ability to speak about emotional topics’ and ‘rather than the quantity of social contacts, the depth and quality of the interaction with their runner is the key to achieving positive outcomes’46. [...] Anecdotal evidence suggests that the scheme raises the confidence and self-esteem of participants, challenges stereotypes through a creative experience, celebrates the achievements of older people and helps to improve the English of the younger participants.