Intergenerational Community Gears up for Chester Duck Race

Intergenerational Community Gears up for Chester Duck Race

Chester Duck Race is back, and Belong is once again vying for the podium with a special entry bringing together older people and young friends in celebration of Global Intergenerational Week (24 – 30 April 2026).

This year’s submission goes by Ali, named after the national charity, Alzheimer’s Society, and is decorated with distinctive blue painted Myosotis – commonly known as forget-me-not flowers.

Perched on Ali’s back is half-duckling, half-bee, DuckBy, named after Belong's B’s Café. The monthly memory cafe invites the public for complimentary coffee, conversation and access to its Admiral Nurse service supporting families in the community with a dementia diagnosis.

The ducks’ designs are the result of a collaboration between Belong Chester customers and children from the Ready Generations Nursery in Belong, the nursery integrated within their home. Together, the friends brainstormed ideas before bringing them to life in their in-house creative studio.

Dyan Crimes, intergenerational experience coordinator at Belong Chester, said: “With Global Intergenerational Week falling on the Duck Race weekend this year, it made for the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together to build our entry.

“Our customers love sharing their home with the children and we find many take every opportunity they can to spend time with their young friends, impart their wisdom, and support their development. It’s wonderful to see.”