How We’re Keeping Connected and Creative
How we’re supporting communities
We're taking bookings for our Autumn and Winter Singing Hinnies sessions.
Residents and staff can join our musicians each week online for singing, music and a friendly catch up. We'll link you with other venues all wanting to find creative ways to keep connected and together.
To register an interest please fill in the form on the right. Venues will also require access to a Smart TV or Zoom via a laptop or table.
Join before December 2021 and receive six sessions for the price of five.
Singing Hinnies
Singing Hinnies was borne out of a need to keep people connected during the pandemic. At a time when care homes were in lockdown and older people were told to stay at home, we made weekly visits delivering garden gigs and making doorstep deliveries with bags of shopping and a regular friendly-faced check in to see how people were.
As we move back to some semblance of normality, we're continuing to sing together online and with garden gigs, ensuring we reach those who perhaps can’t get out or don’t feel confident returning to group activities just yet.
Sessions are lively and based on a theme each week. New participants are warmly welcomed and encouraged to join in… despite their own self-assessment on singing! Holding a note isn’t key, whilst holding each other’s hand for an hour a week online is a valuable way to keep connected through creativity. The sessions have been described as a spot of sunshine!
If you’re keen to join in, whether you live independently, in supported living or are a care home, get in touch and let us know you’re interested.
Sessions are £30 for homes and free to those living independently.
“Singing Hinnies gives me something to look forward to every week. Just knowing that there are like-minded people out there makes me feel less lonesome and for one hour I have some quality 'me time'.” – Eva, participant
"Thank you for being there during these difficult times and for bringing some much-needed sunshine to Uncle Alan's life." - Jude, relative
“It can be incredibly lonely being in a bungalow on your own, and people who don’t normally come out have been on their doorstep and cheered up by the singing.” - Newcastle participant
“Our Harton Hinnies love joining in each week. It’s like a big party. We’re up dancing and singing along and it makes us all feel together and connected to the other homes who join. We love it” – Karen, Activities Co-ordinator
Garden Gigs
Creativity in care homes doesn’t have to lapse in lockdown. Our Singing Hinnies have been warbling through the windows, reaching out to residents and care staff, keeping spirits high.
If you’d like to book a garden gig for your care home, hospital or sheltered housing scheme you can do it here.
"You are the light in people's lives at the minute.
"When they are cannot see their families, you are the only connection and connection is what is needed for older people to stop them feeling isolated. Doing this through creativity is keeping them all going."
Alongside Singing Hinnies, we've other ways we're helping people keep connected and creative
Create at Home
Each monthly issue of our new Create at Home pack contains four creative activities for you to try at home. The activities has been devised by the professional artists we work to deliver workshops in cultural venues and care settings.
Packs cost £8 each (P&P included) and can be ordered here.
We're also supporting creative groups to keep connected during Covid-19 with Create at Home alongside digital workshops with artists. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more.
Art-2-Art Catch Up Calls
If the days seem longer and you feel you'd like a friendly chat, why not give the team here at Equal Arts a call?
We understand the importance of connection and are on hand to say hello and have a chat. Our volunteers, used to supporting older people during our regular workshops, are only a phone call away.
Get in touch on 0191 261 1619.