The Fremantle Trust invited its residents and team members to warm up their vocal chords as part of the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) Challenge 2017 to sing the same song at the same time across a number of its homes.
Residents and employees across the Trust’s care homes in Aylesbury (Lewin House), Farnham Common (Farnham Common House) and Wing (Carey Lodge) took part in the Sing-a-Song Challenge with a performance of The Carpenters’ ‘Sing’ at 3pm on Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day.
The care homes embraced the fundraising event by extending the charity initiative to ‘sing along’ events involving the local community and Carey Lodge held a sponsored karaoke session to enable residents to perform their favourite ditties with members of the team.
Lewin House nursing home welcomed the Mayor, Cllr Barbara Russel, as well as pupils from Thomas Hickman School to its event and took the opportunity to celebrate Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday this week by singing a selection of her songs.
For resident Shirley Merle, aged 83, at Lewin House, the Sing-a-Song event was particularly reminiscent of her years spent as a jazz singer touring London with her husband, a very talented pianist and their band.
Commenting on the initiative, Tina Fox Pearson, activity coordinator at Lewin House, said: “The NAPA Sing-a-Song was a lovely opportunity for everyone to come together and sing a meaningful song that is likely to have held personal memories for some.
“It was a great way of connecting people and a symbol of community knowing that across the Trust other people were singing The Carpenters’ iconic track at exactly the same time.”
The Fremantle Trust has historically been involved with the NAPA Choir initiative to encourage collaboration through song. Singing is an enjoyable pastime for many as well as a powerful means of reminiscence for those living with dementia.