National Academy for Social Prescribing, Utley Foundation Power of Music Fund.
Last year we were very fortunate to receive a grant of £1,000 by the Utley Foundation Power of Music Fund, and now they, with National Academy for Social Prescribing, have awarded us £500 for three years with the lovely aim of creating joy for people living with memory loss. The first grant funded keyboards for the Earlham Library and NNUH and new songbooks. We already have plans but are very open to your suggestions!
Thank You, Norwich NatWest Bank!
In June we were again part of the NatWest bank’s Dementia Awareness event: a chance to talk to customers about Come Singing and Music Mirrors. We took a keyboard, so there was music (and some singing!) throughout the day!
We are so grateful to Norwich NatWest for their support – they always make us very welcome and don’t seem to mind the disruption we cause!
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Dementia Fayre
The NNUH held its Dementia Fayre again in May, at the start of Dementia Action week. It’s always a warm, friendly event, with a wealth of information on offer about dementia and the support available. We were given use of the lovely grand piano for the whole day and were much helped by a constant supply of tea, coffee and delicious cakes!!
Mid Norfolk Singers Summer Concert
The Mid Norfolk Singers very kindly donated £104 of the funds raised in June at their ‘Songs from Musical Theatre’ summer concert at Swanton Morley Village Hall. At the concert they also read out information about our organisation. We are so grateful to them for supporting and making our work known. Thank you very, very much!
Norwich Millennium Library Come Singing – Filming a Musical Journey
Earlier in the year, at the Millennium Library, we were filmed by Swiss-German Reck Films as part of a documentary on the significance of song throughout life, ‘Melody’. The director, Anka Schmid, had met Heather in Zurich, then made an initial scoping visit to Norwich in 2021 and fell in love with our Millennium Library Come Singing group. Library staff were magnificent in working with the Swiss team and made sure that filming was carried out appropriately for all library users as well as for our vulnerable group. We’re only one part of the 90-minute film planned for release in early 2025, but it’s international stardom!! Watch this space!
Come Singing out and about
On Friday August 30th Come Singing joined the regular dementia café at Hellesdon Library for a few songs. It’s a big, very lively group and the morning went with a swing! We’d love to go again if ever they ask – but we only have 5th Fridays free!
WE’RE BACK SINGING AT THE NORWICH MILLENNIUM LIBRARY!
It was a lovely moment when we finally got together for the first time since Covid at the Norwich Millennium Library! The sense of homecoming, the welcome from friendly library staff and joy of singing with other people lifted everyone’s spirits. The Come Singing family held together so well during Covid but now, with friends and familiar faces, we can have the joy and anarchy of meeting as a group! Sessions are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday in each month, from 10.45 – 11.45 am.
The library uses its large space to seat us safely, so there’s no need to book, but do please ring 01603 452404 if you’d like further details. We’d love to see you!
PS: A Come Singing by phone is available on demand, thanks to the Norfolk Library Service, (please ring for details) and the newsletters, which have been such a lifeline during Covid, will carry on too.
Come Singing at Earlham Library
We’ve loved being back in action at the Millennium Library in Norwich, and now Norfolk Library Service has kindly offered us a third monthly sing, at Earlham Library on Colman Road. Sessions are held on the 3rd Friday of each month at 11.15 – 12.15. There’s a bus stop nearby, good parking behind the library, […]
Come Singing At Home
The Millennium Library still also has on its Health and Wellbeing website the Singing at Home videos which were made during lockdown. Clips last about 20 minutes and include the usual warm-ups as well as some of our much loved songs. Do join in with Heather (loudly please!!) – sub-titles provided – by clicking on the video picture This will take you to the archive of videos. Our grateful thanks to Caroline and the Library Service who made it all possible.
Come Singing’s Keyhole Newsletter
We also put together regular newsletters to keep in touch either by post or email. These include music-themed poems, quizzes, pictures and news items that we hope will raise spirits and ‘keep your hopes alive’. (hence Keyhole!)
