Tanglewood Residents Shine in Pubity’s ‘Old Friend Club’

2 January 2025

Tanglewood Residents Shine in Pubity’s ‘Old Friend Club’

Tanglewood Care Homes is thrilled to celebrate the resounding success of its partnership with Pubity, one of the world’s leading social publishers, on their heart-warming initiative, Old Friend Club. This ground-breaking campaign has not only captured the hearts of millions but also redefined perceptions of care home living by showcasing the wisdom, humour, and vibrant lives of older generations.

Old Friend Club: A Campaign Bridging Generations

Launched in September 2024, Old Friend Club is Pubity’s latest venture aimed at bridging the generational divide by introducing older adults to modern pop culture while celebrating their life stories and perspectives. With a staggering global audience of 1.6 billion monthly views and over 140 million followers across platforms, Pubity has used its unparalleled reach to spotlight the voices of seniors in a way that resonates with audiences young and old.

The campaign’s mission is simple yet profound: to foster intergenerational connections through storytelling, authenticity, and shared experiences. Each episode features a regular cast of senior residents engaging in activities such as sharing life advice, answering questions about their pasts, and participating in challenges that introduce them to today’s popular trends. These moments not only entertain but also highlight the enduring relevance and vitality of older adults in today’s culture.

An elderly woman sitting in a Tanglewood care home is participating in the "Old Friends Club" campaign. She is holding a whiteboard that says: "SECRET TO A LONG LIFE NAME: JOAN AGE: 105 DON'T BE CRUEL, BE COOL!" She is wearing a light blue cardigan over a floral blouse and a scarf, with her hands resting on the board. A walker is visible beside her, and a colorful painting hangs on the wall in the background.

The Reach and Resonance

Since its debut, Old Friend Club has achieved phenomenal success:

  • Over 350 million views and 4 million engagements across all platforms.
  • The dedicated Old Friend Club Instagram page (@oldfriendclub) has amassed an impressive 246,000 followers in just a few months.

The emotional depth of the campaign has struck a chord with audiences worldwide. From laughter-filled moments to poignant recollections, these videos have become a testament to the power of storytelling in connecting people across generations.

Tanglewood Residents: The Stars of the Show

Residents from Tanglewood’s Meadows Park Care Home and Cloverleaf Care Home were among the first stars of this inspiring series. In one standout video, 90-year-old Mike charmed viewers during a “This or That” challenge where he chose his favourite invention from the last century—his beloved electric blanket! Other residents, including Tina, Des, Joan, Joy, Sheila, Geoff, and Iris, have also shared their wisdom and humour with millions.

Recently, Sleaford Hall Care Home joined the project, contributing even more wholesome content to the Old Friend Club channel. These videos showcase residents engaging in everything from rating modern-day rappers to sharing heartfelt memories. One particularly moving moment featured resident Des reflecting on his late wife—a story that resonated deeply with viewers and underscored the importance of love and memory.

Challenging Stereotypes About Senior Living

The partnership between Tanglewood Care Homes and Pubity is more than just a digital campaign; it is a movement to challenge outdated stereotypes about care homes. Far from the tired clichés of isolation or monotony, Old Friend Club reveals the rich, vibrant lives of Tanglewood residents. These are people with stories to tell, wisdom to share, and a zest for embracing new adventures. Viewers can see first-hand that life in a care home is far from dull—it’s an exciting new chapter filled with connection, adventure, and fulfilment.

At the heart of this movement is Tanglewood’s commitment to creating a supportive and fulfilling environment for its residents. Each person is treated as an individual, with personalised care plans designed to meet their unique needs and preferences. From yoga classes that nurture both body and mind to cinema nights that bring everyone together for shared joy, Tanglewood ensures its homes are places where residents feel valued, connected, and truly at home.

This partnership isn’t just about changing perceptions—it’s about celebrating life at every stage and proving that senior living is not an end but a vibrant new chapter filled with possibility.

Public Response: A Global Outpouring of Love

The response to Old Friend Club has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers from around the globe have expressed their joy at seeing seniors share their stories and humour. Many have even sent fan mail to residents—a testament to how deeply these videos have resonated.

Bailey Greetham-Clark, CEO and Founder of BeGreatFitness and host of Old Friend Club, shared his heartfelt thoughts on the campaign:

Old Friend Club holds a truly special place in my heart. After years of working in social care and witnessing firsthand the incredible impact this sector can have, it’s become my personal mission to showcase its beauty and importance to the world. To bring this to life through such a powerful show is nothing short of a dream come true.

Sitting side-by-side with these remarkable residents—hearing their stories, sharing laughter, tears, and everything in between—feels like both an honour and a privilege. It still amazes me that I get to call this my job.”

A Christmas Wishlist for Residents

This holiday season, Pubity spread extra cheer by creating a Christmas wishlist for Tanglewood residents, inviting viewers to help make the holidays truly special. From karaoke machines to coffee makers and heated curlers, the thoughtful gifts were chosen to bring joy, spark smiles, and add a little extra comfort and fun to their daily lives. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity and enthusiasm of viewers, many residents received personalised gifts that touched their hearts.

For example, 92-year-old Tina, a lifelong fan of Cliff Richard, was overjoyed to unwrap a signed framed picture of her favourite star—a gift that left her beaming with happiness. These moments of connection and kindness have made this holiday season unforgettable for Tanglewood residents, proving that small gestures can create lasting memories.

Redefining Senior Living Together

This partnership between Tanglewood Care Homes and Pubity is reshaping perceptions about senior living by showcasing it as a time for growth, connection, and joy. By giving residents a platform to share their wisdom with younger generations while embracing modern trends themselves, Old Friend Club proves that age is no barrier to creativity or relevance.

As more Tanglewood homes join this inspiring initiative as we move into 2025, we look forward to continuing this journey of intergenerational connection. Together with Pubity’s vast audience reach and Tanglewood’s dedication to resident well-being, we are redefining what it means to live vibrantly in later years.

At Tanglewood Care Homes, we provide a comprehensive range of care services tailored to meet diverse needs. Whether you’re looking for short-term or long-term care, residential or nursing support, or specialised care for physical disabilities or dementia, our dedicated team is here to help. To learn more about Tanglewood Care Homes or to arrange a visit to one of our locations, please call us on 01205 358888 or email us at info@twhealthcare.co.uk.

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