What worked.
Lively collected impact data for ten years to build a case for the benefits of intergenerational care.
This page summarises a decade of data to offer a frank look at the most concrete positive impact we observed while running intergenerational programs.
Lively’s impact data has been retained and anonymised for individuals or groups who wish to delve into it further. Contact Good Flock for further information.
-
Contrary to popular belief, there was healthy appetite amongst young adults to provide support to older people. Across its lifespan, Lively attracted thousands of applications from young people aged 18–25, and numbers increased steadily as years progressed.
In its final intake in July 2025, Lively received 101 formal applications through the Lively website and a further 175 through Seek. Due to the high volume, Lively’s Hiring team was able to be increasingly specific about additional language requirements, location and driver’s licence status.
The team attributed the popularity of the position to:
the absence of a requirement for formal qualifications or prior professional experience
the flexibility of the role alongside study commitments
the pay rate, which was higher than retail and hospitality positions
the appeal of doing values-driven work as a young person
-
Lively consistently received positive feedback about its service quality. Across multiple years of surveys of in-home clients (Lively’s “members”), 95.6% rated their Helpers’ ability to respond to the needs as either “excellent” (73.5%) or “good” (22.1%). For community tech help programs, 97.4% of surveyed participants gave their Helpers a positive rating (“excellent” 72.6%, “good” 24.8%).
A striking 96.4% of surveyed in-home members said they were “always” treated with dignity and respect by their Helper, while 100% of surveyed community tech help participants said they were respected by their Helper.
80.4% of members said they were “extremely likely” to recommend Lively’s in-home program, and overall 92% of both in-home and community tech help participants rated the programs at 4 or 5 out of 5.
The Lively team attributed this result to:
a careful, attributes-based hiring process bolstered by strong interest
a strong internal culture of care and trust
a training program based on growing confidence, autonomy and problem-solving
-
83.6% of surveyed in-home members felt more socially connected, with 50% of members reporting that they felt “much more” connected. Similar results were obtained when asking about feeling connected to younger generations specifically. 88.9% of older people felt they had also had the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills with their Helper.
The Lively team was not able to compare these results with similar non-intergenerational support programs, but qualitative data demonstrated that many participants deeply valued the opportunity to give back to a young person.
“The mentoring component of the program is the reason why I chose Lively over other options. All the helpers I have had have had something in common which has enabled the relationship to be easy. Building a relationship with the helpers and knowing I am assisting them with these very perplexing times we live in is very rewarding.” - Penny, Lively member.
-
Lively Helpers consistently reported that their attitudes towards older people were changed by their work with Lively. Amongst surveyed Helpers, 100% reported that they had increased understanding of older people, 97.5% were more likely to recognise ageism, and 90% said they were more likely to challenge it. 75% said they were more likely to consider a career in aged care.
These results are consistent with the established literature which shows that intergenerational relationships are pivotal in challenging ageist attitudes.
-
Lively Helpers reported improved confidence, employability and interpersonal communication skills as a result of their training and on-the-job experience at Lively. 100% reported that they had gained skills that improved their employability, with 70% “strongly agreeing”. 92.5% reported improved confidence and a more positive view of themselves.
Helpers also reported improvements in communication, with 95% agreeing or strongly agreeing that they felt more able to make themselves understood, 92.5% reporting greater confidence talking with strangers and providing clear instructions.
These results were based on the self-reports of Helpers while they were employed at Lively. At the time of its closure, Lively had not undertaken a systemic survey of former Helpers to understand the role Lively played in their professional development. However, some statements from former Helpers at the time of Lively’s closure can be found below.
-
It was consistently clear from Lively’s survey data that Helpers were providing exceptional care for its members. The team firmly attributed this to the internal culture of care and respect at Lively.
This started by prioritising recruitment of people with strong empathy, warmth and interpersonal skills at all levels of the company.
Lively leadership also took active efforts to break down internal hierarchies and respect the skill and judgement of its Helpers. Examples included:
The introduction of operational positions with Lively’s Matching, Hiring and Support teams exclusively held by active Lively Helpers. Training and coaching was peer-driven.
Regular feedback and design workshops with Helpers led by the CEO which directly informed internal improvement projects.
Leadership respected workers’ autonomy and avoided getting involved in care relationships except when necessary (see below).
Lively’s CEO, COO and Partnerships Manager all stepped in as Helpers periodically.
Modelling vulnerability, and injecting a sense of humour and spirit of fun wherever possible.
Lively also took care of the basics carefully, ensuring pay was generous and issues were dealt with promptly. Helpers were checked in with regularly, and training and support focused on helping them to develop healthy work and client boundaries.
“Lively is an amazing work place. They take care of their Helpers and make sure that our working experience is positive, safe and pleasant. Working at Lively doesn't feel like work sometimes as it's such a positive working environment. Also, everyone at HQ is super supportive and helpful, whenever I needed assistance or had questions, they were there to help!” - Lively Helper
-
After some trial and error, Lively developed a mix of services that aligned well with both the needs of older people and the skillsets of young people.
Technology help was Lively’s first service offered after extensive research and consultation, as young people were well-equipped to provide it and it met an urgent community need. Lively’s community tech help programs grew steadily over ten years.
Lively’s in-home services, developed later, encompassed simple activities that might otherwise be undertaken by a neighbour or family member, which only required basic safety training and didn’t require specialised skillsets. Helpers were not able to provide personal care or operate power tools, but they could dust, re-pot a plant or take you for a coffee. These proved to be highly valued and allowed meaningful flexibility for Lively’s members, while remaining safe for its young workers.
-
Lively was strongly inspired by Adrienne Maree Brown’s strategic principle, “Trust the people, they will become trustworthy.” In particular, Lively placed significant trust in its Helpers as the custodians of the relationships with Lively’s members.
The Lively team avoided being overly prescriptive about how Lively Helpers and members spent their time together, and indeed when they spent it. For in-home sessions, Helpers were in charge of negotiating schedules directly with members. Lively HQ outlined the cadence (e.g. 2 hours weekly/fortnightly), but allowed Helpers to set the time directly via an in-house app. Once scheduled, Helpers and members could choose how to spend each session, within the bounds of Lively’s service list.
Helpers consistently rose to the challenge and took this responsibility seriously. Across six years of running in-home support programs, Lively had no major issues of Helper attendance, and achieved high service satisfaction (see above).
By avoiding centralised rostering, Helpers took more responsibility for providing consistency to members; in fact, Lively experienced the most issues with Helper reliability when doing central rostering for community tech help programs.
Lessons in delivery.
In addition to the impact data above, the Lively team drew a number of conclusions about how to administer intergenerational programs successfully.
What people said.
Everyone has a story in life - to relate "bits and pieces" of my story to a young person helps her to understand an older person and helps make me still feel relevant in a fast paced modern world… Working with a young "lively", smart person helps me to find more joy in life.
John, Lively Member
This work has been the greatest place I’ve ever worked at. I’ve always looked forward to working here and always feel like I’m treated with respect and understanding.
Lively Helper
I have a new friend. Am very happy.
Lively member
Everyone at Lively is so professional, warm and welcoming, it is a company I would never like to leave.
Lively Helper
What has always set Lively apart is how deeply their values aligned with ours. They approached every client with care, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference. Their innovative ideas and solutions helped us deliver better outcomes, even when circumstances were tough.
Anja, Lively In-Home Program Coordinator, Darebin City Council
You'll always have my deep gratitude and affection for the impact you've had on my life through some very difficult times over the past few years. Being able to shift focus back to the garden - such a pretty, practical and tangible place - and to lose myself in it has often given me renewed purpose and hope. I'm sure I couldn't have done that without your friendship and support.
Jennifer, Lively member
Lively is an amazing work place. They take care of their Helpers and make sure that our working experience is positive, safe and pleasant. Working at Lively doesn't feel like work sometimes as it's such a positive working environment. Also, everyone at HQ is super supportive and helpful, whenever I needed assistance or had questions, they were there to help!
Lively Helper
Part of the technical world - It makes me feel like I am able to keep up with the current times but also share my own experiences and knowledge.
Judith, Lively member
One of the best jobs I have ever had! Great team, great idea, fantastic workplace culture, and I really love it.
Lively Helper
The program helped me shift from a really stuck and negative mental health state to a functional, positive mental state and mindset. This help has been a LIFE CHANGING experience for me and the support has come at a very important stage in my life where I needed help to organise my house in order to go oversees to look after my mum. The extremely loving and compassionate Aisha has transformed my mindset and organised my house and life to a point where I can function and move forward in my life. I am planning to go to my mum soon something that I had wanted to do for a long time but was too overwhelmed to make it happen on my own. So thank you Lively, Darebin Council and Aisha from the bottom of my heart.
Lively member
Lively are aligned with our values. We have feedback that their helpers have the right attributes to work with older people—[they are] doing something right in recruitment.
Team Leader of Care Manager team,
Brotherhood of St. Laurence
Because I came to Australia 50 years ago, and have no family here (and no children), Lively has filled a gap definitely.
Lorraine, Lively member
This is the best organisation in this universe! 🫶🫶🫶
Lively Helper
I love how inclusive the company is! They are so open, transparent and proactive with everything they do.
Referring aged care provider
Having Kay here is like having a friend visit. There is no separation as the knowledge is shared both ways. Kay tells me how things are in Hong Kong I tell her how the plants do what they do etc. We go out for coffee or we stay in. We share stories as we work and things get done before we even realise it's time for her to home.
Lively member
Yes it is really nice to have my helper interested in my collage which is one of my hobbies, also the walks I look forward to someone to have a coffee and a chat with.
Dianne, Lively member
Absolute delight to work with! Lively fills a need for the whole sector.
Team Managers of Supported and Connected Living Team,
Darebin City Council
I can’t imagine who I would be today without Lively. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey, for helping shape who I am today. I’ll carry everything I’ve learned here into the next chapter of my life. This experience has become part of me and made me a better person.
Xinran, Lively Helper and Matching Coordinator
All my helpers have been wonderful…nudging me to possible tasks/options when I have brain fog, making me feel cared for and anticipated without being patronised. Its a special skill.
Michelle, Lively member
I appreciate all the kindness and knowledge the staff and Members unconditionally show me.
Lively Helper
Jess has made a most positive difference to my life. Her friendly , helpful disposition and enthusiasm for life in general as well as towards me and my activities and difficulties are very much appreciated. I feel I have made a new friend as well as a wonderful helper.
Mary, Lively member
Not only is the work so rewarding, meaningful and connecting, Lively as an organisation empowers and uplifts its own community from the grassroots and reflects a warm community-spirit.
Lively Helper
Sophie is a mature young woman who brings both interest & enjoyment to what she does. This positive attitude transforms the experience for both of us. Also, I have less pain in my hands & arms; I'm cooking and eating better, have more time to do other things I enjoy hurray, hurray!
Lively member
I want to thank everyone in the Lively family very much for my time with you - I learnt and grew so much, both emotionally and professionally. I am so grateful for the meaningful connections I was able to make with both Members and Lively HQers, as well as the trust and responsibility I was granted as a young person. Working with you symbolised such an important personal shift - away from casual hospitality work into something where I really felt I was contributing to the greater good and being trusted to do so.
Serena, Lively Helper