Loneliness and social isolation are challenges faced by many members of our community. Through ‘Singing by the Sea’, we'll run a series of workshops with our older members, some of whom are living with dementia, and primary school groups. We'll play and discuss members' special songs, evoking positive memories and sharing life stories throughout the creative sessions, improving everyone's confidence and wellbeing in a safe and supportive space. The newly formed group will chat and learn each others' songs and gradually get to know each other through music and playful activities, creating their unique new playlist of songs and stories to share with each other and then the public at uplifting performances at our local theatre to celebrate their co-produced creative work. A videographer will digitally document the process along the way and produce a powerful mini documentary of the stories to be premiered at the final event forming a legacy to inspire future generational singing projects

What we'll deliver:

• Workshops bringing together primary children with older members from a wellbeing choir
• Capturing the friendships formed and creating digital video interviews that feed into a production
• Co-producing a performance in a local theatre, sharing the stories and music from across the united cross generations

Why it's a great idea:

The project will: • Connect members from the community, from young to older, giving participants a ‘sense of belonging and fun’ especially members feeling isolated, lonely or excluded in any way, by providing artistic opportunities for people to express themselves creatively in a safe, supportive and empowering environment. • Create a support network through the arts for members who want to boost their wellbeing and/or are experiencing loneliness, grief, physical and mental health conditions • Remove the barrier of commercial pricing which can exclude people on low incomes, as our activities are free, donations welcomed • Build confidence and self-esteem and provide opportunities for members to share their work in performance • Upskill participants in their chosen art form • Reduce anxiety and improve health through a range of relaxation and mindfulness techniques and exercises at the start of sessions

Steps to get it done:

• Partnering with our local primary school class
• Delivering Soundtrack by the Sea creative sessions, collecting stories and songs
• Digitally capturing cross generational conversations
• Curating the music chosen and teaching the choirs
• Forming the cross generational choir for rehearsals
• Producing an aspirational performance for friends and family

We want to build on the research that has proved the social and health benefits of producing cross generational music projects: - Foster Inter-generational bonding and social connections -Offer opportunity for older people to share their life experiences and wisdom with younger generations -Young people will gain valuable insights and empathy from engaging with older individuals -Both age groups will have enhanced mental wellbeing through the power of creativity and self-expression -The project will reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation among our older members - Increase confidence and self-esteem of everyone -Develop a sense of purpose and fulfillment for everyone -Promote a sense of community and belonging among diverse age groups -Increase understanding of and appreciation for different perspectives and experiences -Improves communication skills and teamwork abilities across generations -Strengthen the overall wellbeing of the community by addressing mental health challenges