Make singing together a core activity in the home

• Video Description

  This video was filmed at Mornington Court, New Milton (Cinnamon Group).

  It shows some of the effects of singing in a choir. Singing is at the heart of this care home, and the choir is an important part of many residents’ lives, with each member encouraged to join in and contribute, whatever their level of need. Charlie, the activities coordinator, explains how the choir grew organically from residents’ interests.

• Strategies

  • Have regular group singing sessions. These could be unaccompanied, or use a local musician or recordings

  • Involve staff and visitors to enhance the sense of community that singing together can bring

  • Experiment with new songs; working together as a group can support learning which can continue for the rest of a person’s life

  • Invite visiting musicians to form a residents’ choir. They could perform for others in the home on special occasions