Retirement residents, children and Gloucester Cathedral unite for intergenerational Candlemas celebration

Residents at St Oswald’s Retirement Village joined forces with Gloucester Cathedral to deliver a moving and memorable Shining Together service in celebration of Candlemas on Saturday 31st January. The event held at St Oswald’s Retirement Village was a unique blend of tradition, community spirit, and intergenerational connection, led by members of the retirement village’s weekly Prayer and Share group alongside the Cathedral’s junior choir. 

The service featured music and performances developed over several weeks of shared rehearsals. Every Saturday throughout January, children from the Cathedral’s choir visited St Oswald’s to rehearse with residents forming bonds that drove the project. The initiative was championed by Rachael Veitch, Dementia and Wellbeing Enabler at the ExtraCare village.

The event itself proved to be a resounding success, with audience members describing it as uplifting and deeply memorable. The intergenerational event even involved a “real life baby Jesus”, who was the six‑month‑old child of a staff member currently on maternity leave, who returned to play Mary in the service.

One resident who took part received a handmade card after the event from the child she had been paired with, complete with drawings of the two of them and a message expressing how much she had enjoyed their time together and hoping to see her again.

Residents had the same feeling on reflecting on what the intergenerational experience meant to them.

One commented: “Being involved in something new and sharing it with the young people made an event I and many others will never forget… The service was something I will remember for the rest of my days. Everybody knows of my new young friend.”

Other residents spoke about the power of the connections formed:

“The bonding with the generations was extraordinary. I hope that this will continue to benefit wellbeing, and help everyone spiritually, socially, and be a creative joy for us all.”

“It was such a beautiful experience, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it… The entire project has been an absolute pleasure and a wonderful memory for us all. The children and indeed all concerned have, without doubt, found a special place in our hearts.”

Nia Llewelyn Jones, Assistant Conductor at Gloucester Cathedral added: “Sharing music across generations reminds us how powerful singing can be in bringing people together.”

With residents, children, Cathedral staff and audience members all expressing a desire to continue working together, Shining Together has paved the way for future intergenerational collaborations between St Oswald’s Village and Gloucester Cathedral. The project not only celebrated Candlemas but shone a light on the joy, creativity, and shared humanity that emerge when different generations lend their voices and come together as one.