Singing bus gets home residents on board
A “Singing Bus” has been visiting gardens, green spaces and care homes for some socially distanced singalongs.
With care homes having minimal visits, and some even being back under temporary lockdown, Age UK B&NES has been hard at work meeting older people’s needs
Janet Dabbs, Age UK B&NES CEO, said: “Life is very different to how it was at the beginning of the year. We are trying to give people a sense of fun and normality and are delighted that it is bringing so much joy to care home residents and staff this week.
“As it has evolved, this singing bus has meant so much more than just music, it has brought neighbours out to chat over the garden fence, brought isolated people to their doorsteps and made older people feel included.”
This is the third time the singing bus has taken to local streets during the crisis, first during VE Day and more recently to the gardens and streets of the older people that the charity supports.
Thanks to some extra funding, the charity has been able to offer care homes who have outside space one hour of summer hits by a professional singer, Spangles.
Covering hits from all eras, Spangles made sure there were singalong hits ranging from Abba, Dolly
Parton to Vera Lynn.
As well as the mood and movement boosting factor, these sessions have also been evoking memories for people of happier days.
Sue, activities manager at Ivy Bank Court in Bath, said: “It has been a really tough time for residents and staff, but we are getting through it and trying not to let things get us down.
“I can’t thank Age UK B&NES enough for this singing bus, it has given everyone a lift that they needed. Residents were clapping and singing along and some even got up to dance. It was just wonderful to see. We’d have it back every week if we could.”