There are certain afternoons at Lear House where you can hear the atmosphere before you reach the lounge. The singing carries down the corridor, there is a burst of laughter between songs, and by the time you walk through the door someone is already up on their feet. That is exactly how it went when Sandra Currie came back to spend the afternoon with us.
Sandra is one of those visitors our residents genuinely look forward to, and she never disappoints. This visit brought all our favourites to sing and play along to, plenty of good company and, of course, some dancing. We had lots of fun.
All Our Favourites, Sung Together
The songs Sandra brings with her are the ones our residents have known for a lifetime. They are the tunes that were playing at first dances, on kitchen radios and at family parties, and there is something quite lovely about watching a room recognise a melody all at once.
You see it in small ways at first. A foot starts tapping. Someone hums the opening line. Then a few more voices join in and, before long, the whole room is singing together. Familiar music has a wonderful way of drawing people in, no matter how they are feeling when the afternoon begins.
Sandra has a real gift for reading the room and pitching each song just right, so nobody feels put on the spot and everyone feels welcome to join in at whatever level suits them.
Playing Along and Joining In
One of the things that makes Sandra’s sessions so inclusive is that there is always something to do as well as something to listen to. Instruments are passed around, and residents can shake, tap and play along with the music.
It sounds like a small detail, but it makes an enormous difference. Playing along turns an audience into participants. Residents who might not feel like singing will happily keep a rhythm going, and those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the music are never made to feel they are missing out. Everyone finds their own way into the afternoon.
And Of Course, Some Dancing
No afternoon with Sandra would be complete without a dance, and this one was no exception. Some residents got up for a proper twirl around the lounge, others danced from their chairs with plenty of enthusiasm, and the staff were pulled in too.
It is joyful, sociable and completely unforced. Nobody is counting steps or worrying about getting it right. It is simply people moving to music they love, together, and enjoying every minute of it.
Why Live Music Matters So Much in a Care Home
Afternoons like this are great fun, but they are also doing a great deal of good beneath the surface. Live music and singing are among the most effective and enjoyable ways to support wellbeing in later life.
- Mood and spirits. Music lifts the atmosphere in a room almost instantly, and the effect tends to last well beyond the final song.
- Memory and reminiscence. Familiar songs can bring back memories that have felt out of reach, often prompting stories and conversations that continue for days afterwards.
- Gentle physical activity. Clapping, playing instruments and dancing all support coordination, flexibility and circulation, and none of it ever feels like exercise.
- Social connection. Shared music brings residents together. People who might not otherwise spend time in one another’s company find themselves side by side, laughing at the same moment.
- Something to look forward to. Knowing a favourite entertainer is coming back is valuable in itself. Anticipation is a real part of the pleasure.
We wrote more about this in our post on the power of live music and entertainment, and every visit from Sandra reinforces it.