Care homes kick off intergenerational ‘Palette to Pitch’ events for Care Home Open Week | News

Care home residents, students and local communities came together in a celebration of creativity, connection and football at a series of vibrant ‘Palette to Pitch’ events hosted by Sussex Housing & Care this week.

Celebrating National Care Home Open Week, the events at Oakwood Court in Haywards Heath, Woodlands in Crowborough and Saxonwood in Battle, brought people of all ages together in a unique intergenerational project inspired by the excitement of the 2026 Football World Cup.

From Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 June, care home residents teamed up with local school and college students, and with the guidance of professional artists, The Painted Ladies, they crafted mini football players, built tabletop football stadiums, and competed in friendly shootouts filled with laughter and teamwork.

At Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath, 21 students from local schools joined residents to kick off the celebrations, setting the tone for a week of connection and community spirit. Woodlands care home in Crowborough welcomed students and local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Crowborough, while at Saxonwood care home in Battle, residents and young people continued the momentum with another engaging and energetic morning joined by the Mayor of Battle. See the mornings in action in the videos below!

Douglas, 90, took part and said: “I was a referee for over 50 years so I know all about football and I am excited for the World Cup! I’ve loved seeing the generations come together today, it was a great success and will be a lasting memory for me.”

Tracy Evans, Chief Executive of Sussex Housing & Care said: “This week we’ve  highlighted the power of intergenerational engagement, with meaningful conversations and shared experiences. Residents enjoyed the opportunity to connect with younger generations, while students gained valuable insight into life in a care home and the importance of community connections.

‘Palette to Pitch’ forms part of Sussex Housing & Care’s commitment to enriching the lives of residents by strengthening links with the local community. National Care Home Open Week provided the perfect platform to open doors, welcome visitors, and showcase the positive, inclusive environments within our homes. Thank you to everyone who joined us.”