Viewers were in tears again at Channel 4’s Old People’s Home for Four-Year-Olds

The poignant moment came when a chick failed to hatch.

Last night's episode of the Bafta-nominated show, Old People's Home For Four-Year-Olds proved to be another hit with viewers as it again highlighted the value of intergenerational friendships. The Lark Hill nursing home residents and their four-year-old companions were given a collection of eggs to incubate and monitor as they hatched. There was delight amongst young and old when the chicks began to hatch, but after a few days, one egg was clearly failing and the children's nursery school teacher gently broke the news. She said:

"He tried, but he just didn't quite make it out but that's alright because sometimes that happens."

The old people chatted to their younger best friends and explained that the chick just didn't have enough strength to make it out. While some children were accepting of the news and reasoned that the chicks friends had probably tried to help him, adorable Lily asked, "But how do we get it out?". The nursery teacher gently replied, "We can't now poppet, it won't hatch now." Lily then looked to eighty-seven-year-old best friend, Ken, for comfort.

We also get this excited when we see baby chickens. ? #OldPeoplesHome4YO pic.twitter.com/YWuUvzLVLz

— Channel 4 (@Channel4) October 22, 2018

The hit show serves a significant purpose, it is in fact a scientific study which investigates the possible benefits of intergenerational friendships. If it is as successful as the first series, the model could be rolled out as a longer-term strategy for improved elderly care in the UK. Even on a smaller scale, however, the show is having a rippling effect with people saying that it is making them become more mindful of elderly people in their own lives and community.

We should never underestimate the value and importance of relationships and social interaction, such a vital part of life & being human ? #oldpeopleshomefor4yearolds #oldpeopleshome4yo

— Dawn Travill (@dawntravill) October 22, 2018

#oldpeopleshomefor4yearolds is making me want to visit an old persons’ home regularly to give company to someone who mightn’t get regular visitors ?

— delv ? (@dddddelvna) October 22, 2018

#oldpeopleshomefor4yearolds is so amazing. Bringing the generations together is so important. Our care home is practicing this also, we have a nursery of 4 year olds visit every tuesday! ❤️ ☀️

— Steph Weston (@stephannweston) October 15, 2018

The scientific team of experts working on the show assured viewers that last night's lesson was a necessary one for the children to learn and the sad fact of reality seemed to bond the old and young.

That last egg... We tried folks, we tried. But it was an important lesson for the children. The second from last to hatch also almost didn't make it (that was the one which was a sod to the others) #OldPeoplesHome4YO

— Dr James Brown (@afatscientist) October 22, 2018

We can't wait for next week's episode of the heartwarming show.