"The Smiling team encourages song, laughter, friendship and story-telling that revive and warm the hearts of an isolated part of society that badly needs support, acknowledgement and inclusion." — Alison Jones, Founder & Artistic Director
We have been delivering our signature participatory singing project, The Smiling Sessions, to older people in residential sheltered housing schemes and care homes since 2011. We're delighted to see the impact our sessions have on the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Our musical team performs a range of popular and favourite songs, encouraging people as much as possible to engage and take part.
Music can significantly influence our emotional state, confidence and social skills, as well as our cognitive abilities and mental health. It's heartening to see the visible improvement in people's mood and wellbeing after each session.
Starting in 2011 in East London and originally funded by The Big Lottery, The Smiling Sessions were shortlisted into the top three of the finals of The National Lottery competition. Since then we have developed partnerships with many organisations, including Arts Council England, NELFT NHS Redbridge, The Genesis Wellbeing Fund, Mercers and City Bridge Trust.
To support our sessions, we have developed a series of CDs and accompanying large-print songbooks for residents to use after the project has finished — with well over 100 songs in the repertoire, plus five printed songbooks and a Christmas songbook and CD.
"Once the singing started it was a transformation — some were even dancing. What a difference it makes to those in the homes." — The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust Officer
