A Fling Called Swing: When Music, Art, and Volunteering Change Lives

In an era where loneliness among the elderly continues to rise, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,A Fling Called Swing emerged as more than a European volunteering project. It became a vibrant movement of music, art, and intergenerational connection, led by young volunteers and coordinated by the organization De Amicitia.
Swinging Toward Connection
Since 2021, A Fling Called Swing has brought together hundreds of young people from across Europe for intensive 20-day residencies. These volunteers, aged 18–30, came not only to form swing bands and paint murals but also to bridge generational gaps and uplift spirits in care homes, hospitals, and community spaces across Spain.
Their mission? To combat isolation through rhythm, creativity, and companionship.
The Volunteer Journey: A Transformational Experience
For many volunteers, joining the project was a leap into the unknown. They arrived from countries as diverse as Finland, Morocco, Germany, France, Azerbaijan, and Poland, carrying instruments, sketchbooks, and most importantly, open hearts.
Their days were filled with rehearsals, artistic workshops, cultural exchanges, and performances. But it wasn’t just about the music. Volunteers shared meals, explored different traditions, and built a family across borders. In the evenings, they danced the Lindy Hop, jammed informally, or simply reflected on the emotional weight of the day’s visits to care homes.
“The moment we played for the residents, everything changed,” shared one participant. “We weren’t just musicians anymore,we were companions, reminders of youth, laughter, and life.”
The experience of performing for elderly audiences, many of whom hadn’t seen live music in years, was often deeply moving. Volunteers prepared emotionally, learning about dementia, respectful communication, and the power of nostalgic music. Songs like Fly Me to the Moon or When the Saints Go Marching In weren’t just crowd-pleasers, they sparked memories and tears, hand-holding and singalongs.
Art That Speaks
The project also featured mural,making, where volunteers transformed sterile or neglected walls into colorful expressions of joy and belonging. At the Santa Lucía nursing home in Dénia, a mural depicting elderly dancers became a visual tribute to vitality at every age. In other editions, murals of animals, abstract shapes, or famous literary figures reflected both the personalities of the residents and the creativity of the young artists.
These murals didn’t just decorate, they told stories, started conversations, and turned institutional walls into canvases of humanity.
Beyond the Stage
Performances were not limited to care homes. Public concerts in plazas and community centers included swing music, theatre, and dance, sometimes in support of social causes like ADHD awareness or the fight against gender-based violence. Through these events, the project fostered not just generational but also civic solidarity.
Volunteers also responded to real-world needs. During the floods in Catarroja and Paiporta (DANA storm), teams assisted with recovery efforts, showing that their commitment extended beyond music and murals to tangible, on-the-ground solidarity.
Impact That Lasts
Over 17 editions, A Fling Called Swing has touched thousands: elderly residents, local communities, families, and the volunteers themselves. The project has been featured in radio, TV, and major press across Spain, and garnered over 110,000 social media views with content that highlights the emotional and social core of the initiative.
Each volunteer left with more than just a YouthPass certificate. They gained new skills, friendships, cultural understanding, and a deeper sense of what it means to create joy and connection through service.
A Legacy of Heart
As the 17th edition came to a close, De Amicitia described the project not just as a success, but as a “reflection of the soul.” What began as a creative response to the pandemic’s isolation has become a replicable model of what’s possible when young people are given purpose, support, and the chance to make art that matters.
In the words of one volunteer:
 "I came here to play music. I left with a whole new rhythm in my heart."