Alison Jones

Alison Jones

02070971409

Engaging high quality arts activites with adults and the elderly in need

We are a performing arts charity who delivers participatory quality music & story-telling experiences for the elderly that promotes well-being and builds friendships.We believe that learning or re-visiting new musical skills actively engages communities in group activities that enhances confidence and builds self-esteem.With people living longer, we believe everyone should benefit from The Smiling Sessions, which is a hugely popular project singing songs with the elderly in sheltered housing & care homes!
We stopped delivering The Smiling Sessions face to face mid-March 2020, once care homes had to lock down and cancel all their activities because of COVID-19. In direct response to the lock down Artistic Director Alison Jones, supported by our team of musicians, created a series of video singalongs (with on screen lyrics) available for streaming and downloading so we could continue delivering a digital virtual singalong project to all our housing partners. This has been supported by Arts Council England, City Bridge, Mercers, Foyle, CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund, Waltham Forest Council, Fore's RAFT Fund, Edward Gostling and The National Lottery Community Fund, making it possible to create 3 x one hour series of songs to sing along to. We are extremely appreciative of all the support from our funding partners, but still and always have more to do. Your donations will always make a difference.
Why the community needs us
We have been visiting our Senior Citizens across London for 10 years now, delivering participatory musical activities that encourage laughter and friendship, reviving the hearts of an isolated part of society that badly support and inclusion. Singing is a great way for everyone to interact and for their family to spend quality time with them
We are advised it is highly unlikely face to face activities will be allowed before Spring 2021. The positive outcome is that we will continue using this method long term, developing series 1, 2 and 3 (15 songs each) eventually supplementing face-to face activities, reaching many more diverse older people at a time when their isolation & loneliness is even more evident.
Our impact on the community
Over 10 years, we've sung with over 3000 elderly residents across London and East Sussex.
In the past year of delivery, we reached 277 participants in London. In 3 months, we have virtually reached more than one thousand people offering 9,360 unique experiences.
We are in partnership with organizations such as Nottinghill Genesis, Sanctuary Housing, Brighton & Hove Seniors Housing and L&Q Living. We are now contacting organisations cross the UK to join our virtual singing world.
Sharing and remembering favourite songs from way back through active music participation stimulates memories, creates a sense of belonging and enhances social, emotional and cognitive well-being and quality of life.
Now, more than ever, we require our staff to be able to dedicate their time in a greater capacity to their areas of expertise, to enable the charity to continue its work to a high standard and to develop and sustain it, bringing the arts and well-being to the wider community in a safe and accessible way. The totally unexpected outcome of COVID-19 lockdown has been the development of this digital project that will have long lasting usage and benefits reaching much larger audiences than previously possible within the parameters of our work, while creating an awareness with you, the general public, not only about the benefits of song, but about the isolation and vulnerability of many members of our older society.

Volunteers needed

We are always looking for bright and motivated people to assist with our projects, social media, website maintenance and research.

What your gift could provide

£10

pays for a befriending volunteer's phone calls

£25

provides blue tooth speakers

£50

buys a tablet for care homes to play the videos

Fundraise for us!

Charity Information

Telephone: 02070971409

Established in: 2007

Registered charity no.: 1141763