Jan 2025
Did someone say sponsored silence?

The team at Skirbeck Court Care Home in Boston are excited to be undertaking a sponsored silence to raise money to buy specialist headsets, so the home’s residents can enjoy silent discos.
On Wednesday 26th February, the team at Skirbeck Court warmly invite all members of the local community to join them for a fun-filled activity day to raise money for this fantastic cause.
‘Silent disco’ and ‘care home residents’ may not seem like the most natural of bedfellows, but when Home Manager Anna was chatting with residents about the activities they’d most love to do in 2025, a disco was high on the list for many of them.
Anna decided to investigate how she and the team could make this wish a reality, and settled on a silent disco as the best way for the residents to enjoy the music.
Silent discos allow each resident to listen to their favourite tunes, whilst still being able to enjoy each other’s company. The specialist headsets will be preloaded with different genres of music from various time periods, giving residents lots of choice when it comes to what they want to listen to.
To raise money for the headsets, Anna has decided to complete a sponsored silence. Her goal is to raise a minimum of £1000 to purchase 20 headsets for the residents at Skirbeck Court.
As Anna will have to be silent for the day, the residents have requested that she dress loudly, so her vibrant and bubbly personality is still displayed.
Anna will face multiple challenges throughout the day, all to be undertaken in complete silence, including taking part in Skirbeck Court’s very own rendition of the show Stars in Their Eyes, but with a twist! Rather than singing aloud, the team will be lip-syncing to classic songs voted for by Skirbeck Court’s residents. The visitors and residents will vote for their favourite performance, and the two with the highest scores will go head-to-head in the final.
There will also be homemade afternoon tea served throughout the day for the residents and visitors to enjoy.
Anna is looking forward to the event: “I’ve never done anything like this before, so I’m a bit nervous, but it’s a fantastic cause, and I’m sure it will be brilliant. Our residents at Skirbeck Court are a really fun bunch of people, and are so looking forward to having the chance to enjoy silent discos.
“Some of our residents are living with dementia, and music is a great way to help them reminisce over happy memories, so having the headsets will be a hugely beneficial addition to the care we provide.”
Skirbeck Court’s dementia specialist Admiral Nurse, Donna, was keen to emphasise the value of music for people living with dementia: “Listening to music is a universal experience. We all know how the right song can boost our mood, and the same is true for people living with dementia.
“There is a strong connection between music and memory, with music often triggering powerful memories for those living with dementia, for example of a first dance with someone special. Music can also reduce anxiety in people living with dementia and help maintain language and speech, as well as being beneficial in end-of-life care.”
The team at Skirbeck Court care for multiple residents with complex medical conditions, and place the needs and wishes of residents at the heart of their decision making. They believe everyone deserves to live life to the fullest, regardless of their age or medical condition, which is why they continue to explore fulfilling activities for residents to enjoy.
Please help Anna and the team reach their fundraising goal through donating via their GoFundMe page, which you can visit using the URL below, or donate in person on the day.
The event begins at 11am on 26th February at Skirbeck Court, 55A Spilsby Rd, Boston, PE21 9NU.