Jun 2021
Gloucestershire care homes enjoy live music performances as part of #ReturnToLive
Rudy Green performs for residents in Windsor Street Care Centre's garden
Seven Gloucestershire care homes, run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), are taking part in #ReturnToLive this month. This series of performances has been organised by Live Music Now, who are supporting 250 musicians with gigs in schools, care homes and community centres.
Residents and employees at Edwardstow Court Care Centre, Jubilee Lodge, Windsor Street Care Centre, Monkscroft Care Centre and Westbury Court enjoyed performances this week, with Paternoster House and Grevill House hosting musicians in the coming weeks. The musicians taking part are Lise Vandersmissen, Rudy Green-Kora, Chris Webb, Duo Furioso and folk duo – Bowreed.
Events and Volunteer Co-ordinator, Ewa Cwiklak, said: “Music and social interaction bring people together in a powerful combination that promotes wellbeing. It was lovely to see the residents engaging with the music and the Live Music Now musicians at these concerts. These events bring joy to our homes and we are very grateful for the ongoing collaboration with Live Music Now.”
Rudy Green, a musician from London, played the Kora, a 21 stringed instrument from West African with a sound similar to a harp, for residents at Monkscroft Care Centre and Windsor Street Care Centre - both in Cheltenham. He said: “It was fantastic to perform today for residents. I especially enjoyed the interaction with residents. Before the pandemic, I regularly took the Kora into intensive care settings to play for patients there. Seeing people smile in response to the music is just wonderful.”
Restarting its world-class programme of activities, Janet Fischer, CEO Live Music Now said: “It’s time to return to live music-making for our army of professional musicians, working with those experiencing challenging and difficult circumstances. This includes people and staff in care homes, those living with dementia, children facing disabling barriers and school children who have all been missing out on vital creative stimulation throughout the pandemic.”
Live Music Now is one of the UK’s biggest musical charities working specifically within the health and wellbeing arena, delivering inspirational musical moments that enable people to live musical lives whilst building community and generating creativity. Live Music Now is also supporting its professionals as they re-start their careers, with funding from Arts Council England and Arts Council Wales' Culture Recovery Fund.