About Us
Founded by professional storyteller, Gemma Gillard, the TBT curriculum was commissioned by the Church of England in 2015 to revive a community playgroup. But, passionate about reviving communities, Gemma worked hard to adapt and expand it to benefit all generations.
TBT has been running in the care home context since January 2019 with results and demand exceeding all expectations, even winning the prestigious Cinnamon Network Project Lab 2019 competition for innovative, community-led social action projects that are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of their communities.
Tackling social exclusion
There is overwhelming evidence that loneliness is an epidemic in the UK today, and the global pandemic has fast accelerated that.
people live in care homes in the UK
Care homes market study. (CMA Nov 2017, on gov.uk)
minutes per week of social interaction
A large-scale trial showed that just one hour a week of social interaction improves quality of life for people with dementia in care homes, reducing agitation and aggression.
(Exeter University 2018)
people of all ages in the UK suffer from chronic loneliness
A growing number of people of all ages in the UK suffer from chronic loneliness.
(ONS App 2018)
as likely to feel severely lonely
Care home residents are twice as likely to feel severely lonely than older people living in the community.
(Christina Victor 2012)
Our Vision
We believe the church is God’s beautiful display of family, of intergenerational love and devotion, and TBT exists to show everyone that they’re invited to belong.
Storytelling for life
1. Joyful life – exuberance for everyone:
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118: 24 (ESV)
2. Family life – a place and a purpose for everyone:
“… all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139: 16 (NIV)
3. Full life – restoration by God’s love for everyone:
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
Psalm 95: 7-8 (ESV)
Our Mission
TBT will be the most tested, trusted and transformative intergenerational activity in care homes and communities across the UK.
Our Manifesto
TBT is an intergenerational project that brings joy, hope and life to older adults in care homes and the community. We equip churches with the resources, training and support to deliver creative storytelling activities that benefit 0-4s, their parents and older adults.
We aim to restore intergenerational community which will improve the mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of everyone involved.
Intergenerational
We are interested in everyone in the room. It’s always intergenerational.
High Quality
We provide a high quality creative experience.
Joy
There is joy in this place!
Then freedom will follow.
Our VALUES
TBT will be the most tested, trusted and transformative intergenerational activity in care homes across the UK.
Belonging
We create a place for belonging.
Simplicity
Our simplicity gives imagination
free reign.
For Churches
Are you a church interested in accessing quality resources and training to replicate the TBT project locally?
For Care Homes
Are you a residential care home interested in launching a Truth Be Told Group?
For Families
Do you have children aged 0-4 and are interested in attending an intergenerational storytelling group?
What people are saying
“Truth Be Told is a wonderful project and one which we are incredibly excited to be involved with. Within minutes of meeting each other the residents, children and parents started to respond to each other, helping each other put on their name badges, chatting, asking questions, swapping and sharing tiny props and generally enjoying each other’s company. I think Truth Be Told will have a meaningful effect on everyone it touches.”
Awards
Winner
Cinnamon Incubator 2019
Cinnamon UK
“Through the process, I’ve become even more sure that the church network is a solution to a very big problem.”
– Gemma Gillard
We are proud to announce that In January of 2021 TBT was awarded the Community Action Network Community Hero award for our intergenerational storytelling project.
Winner
Community Heroes
“Our Community Hero in the Spotlight for January is the intergenerational storytelling project, Truth Be Told. A Poole charity founded by professional storyteller, Gemma Gillard”
– Community Heroes
