Songs are evocative and linked to strong memories of life experiences. Sharing emotional memories create isolation-combatting bonds, and friendships. Working with two Preston choirs - Intact Singers and Soundskills Songsters 6 songs will be chosen from a list made based on their own memories. Members of the audiences will contribute 3 songs too. The resulting performance will include the stories attached to the songs and a film will be made of the process, including some of the songs and stories that do not make it into the final performances. The choir leader will arrange the songs and practice them with individual choirs, culminating in multi-choir rehearsals, then three performances in Preston care homes (venues to be confirmed). The story sharing and filming will happen in choir practices, and via one-to-one Zoom sessions and visits to care homes. No person is compelled to share and the degree of sharing will be subject to the wishes of the sharer.

What we'll deliver:

• Collection of stories & songs
• 9 song arrangements
• 72 choir practices
• 3 multi-choir rehearsals
• Three performances in the local community
• A film of the process

Why it's a great idea:

Some older people in Lancs suffer from social isolation: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/health-and-care/health/mental-health-and-wellbeing/social-isolation-and-loneliness/ Preston: Number of people aged 50 to 64 years rose by just over 3,800 (an increase of 16.8%) https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000123/ Participation in arts activities have been proved to reduce social isolation and improve physical and mental health. https://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/3650/4744 Approx 25 people aged 50+ from Soundskills choir, Brookfield estate, Ribbleton area and Intact Singers, Ingol area, collectively, representing various ethnic groups and backgrounds, some health challenges, will take part. Audiences: Three care homes tbc. Some participation in story/ song choice. Will enable connections across Preston, opportunity to share memories, provide enlivening entertainment.

Steps to get it done:

• Collect songs and the stories attached to them
• Choose the songs
• Arrange the songs and start practising
• Collect songs and stories from care homes
• Arrange and practice songs from care homes
• Have multi-choir rehearsals
• Perform concerts
• Edit and produce film

Making contact through shared experiences will contribute to better health for participants, give purpose, facilitate visibility and give a voice, combat loneliness. It will improve the age-friendliness of Preston and enable older citizens to feel valued. It will embed a method of working that can be built on. It will provide work for local choir leader and film maker.