Report on Concertina Funded Song Sharing Sessions for Older People, run in November 2011, through Cooltan Arts.

Introduction A grant was awarded by Concertina Trust to Cooltan Arts to run enriching interactive musical activities for elderly people. The aims of these sessions as stated in the funding bid were to; 1. increase (residents') level of physical activity 2. provide an opportunity for social interaction amongst residents and between residents and staff, 3. enrich the care environment, 4. provide a model to build on for further work in the same and other places,

This report assesses how far these aims were met. Recruitment. Cooltan Arts contracted an experienced freelance community musician Steve Barbe for this project. Steve contacted three different centres for older people, to inquire if they would be interested in partaking in the project. All three were very keen in participating. Public and Patient Involvement at the Maudsley Hospital in Denmark Hill were hosting an event which would have benefited from some musical activity, but the event clashed with other commitments Steve had. This left the following two venues who took part.

Summary Two sessions were run, Both in November 2011, one each at; - Stones End Day Centre in Kennington, - Cossall Walk Sheltered Housing Unit in Nunhead. In the general, although the amount of input was limited to two one-hour sessions, it seams that the aims, as stated, were achieved. This points the way to further work of this kind. Session at Stones End Day Centre, 11 Scovell Road, London, SE1 1QQ(on 11th November 2011, 11.15 am to 12.15pm.) The manager at the centre, Andrew Rogers, suggested this time slot as a regular group of older people met weekly then at the centre. Approximately 20 older visitors, plus three staff, attended the session. This followed a 2 minute remembrance silence observed at the centre to mark the end of World War One, which itself followed a serving of breakfast.

Aim 1. Increase level of physical activity. Although participants were largely seated (in a semi-circle around the facilitator) there was a high degree of physical involvement on the part of participants, in terms of singing along and playing percussion instruments to songs, performed by Steve with guitar. There was also a percussion based improvisation for about 3 minutes with most/all visitors and staff taking part. (Prior to the session visitors were sitting, some talking with each other, with some finishing their breakfast.) How the activity during this session compares with the normal amount of physical activity visitors would engage in during this time slot would need further discussion with the manager there to determine. Aim 2. Provide an opportunity for social interaction amongst residents and between residents and staff. Staff and visitors took part in the workshop together. As well as the songs and percussion based improvisation mentioned above, a few participants also spontaneously made song requests and re-counted stories Aim 3. . Enrich the care environment, Before the workshop took place there was pre- recorded music being played on a CD player. Although the music was pleasant and none intrusive, it did not provide the opportunity for interaction and self expression that the musical activity provided. Aim 4. Provide a model to build on for further work in the same and other places. The manager was very appreciative and positive following the session. (Cooltan are still waiting for the written evaluation from the centre which was agreed however.) A good relationship seams to a have been struck here, which bodes well for the future. Session at Cossall Walk Sheltered Housing Unit 109 Cossall Walk SE15 2S(on 21st November 2011, 11am -12 noon.) The warden at the centre was very keen to have the session take place when approached, and shared responsibility with Cooltan for publicising it to residents. Aim 1. Increase level of physical activity. Residents sang along, played percussion and also some danced. Aim 2. Provide an opportunity for social interaction amongst residents and between residents and staff. 6 residents and 2 staff at the unit attended and actively took part. (One member of staff was from outside of the unit, and was on the verge of retiring that day from Southwark Council.) Aim 3. . Enrich the care environment. The unit is on the estate where Steve lives, so he knows it reasonably well. Although he does not often go inside, he is aware that the communal sitting room, where the activity

took place, is a generally under-utilised space. A few years ago the Council invested in a new TV there, to try and encourage the residents to use the space. This, at the time, was regarded as more cost effective than running activities. Aim 4. Provide a model to build on for further work in the same and other places. The 7 feedback forms which were completed and returned were very encouraging, with 4 indicating that they wanted more/sessions or a longer session (even though this question was not asked on the form.) Conclusion. This report would seam to show that there is a demand for this kind of intervention. Colotan Arts are grateful to Concertina for the opportunity to pilot this work, and hope to build on it.
Report written by Steve Barbe on behalf of Cooltan Arts

Stop Press feedback from Andrew, Manager at Stones End.

The Cooltan Music session conducted by Steve Barbe was a musical experience that worked on many levels. It was a wonderful opportunity for the older people who attend our centre to get together for an interactive activity. The afternoon was very entertaining and therapeutic for the older people, the staff and volunteers and it actively promoted the emotional well being of the service users in the audience and also promoted social interaction amongst the group. The experience brought a great benefit to our services and added to the variety of the activities in the centre.