songsandsmiles
(London)
Thursday 28 Jun 2018, 9:30pm
Not the stereotypical band mate request, but we need musically minded people, people just like you to help us run singing activities in various locations across North and North East London. We need you to lead a singing and activity group and bring fun and happiness to children, parents/guardians and care home residents at our singing and social groups!
ABOUT SONGS & SMILES
Songs & Smiles is an intergenerational event that unites babies/toddlers, their parents/guardians and care home residents. Our aim is to bring a smile to everyone's face through music, participation and interaction.
Many of the residents are unable to get out and about, which can be very isolating, so Songs & Smiles helps them to feel more connected to their community.
It also fulfils a vital role by introducing children to a generation that they might not otherwise regularly come into contact with. And parents/guardians benefit too, by making new friends of different ages and knowing they're making a positive impact in their community - all whilst having lots of fun!
Songs & Smiles follows a format that has been co-designed with a music therapist and includes a mixture of singing, playing percussion instruments and moving to music. Afterwards we have Meet & Mingle time, where everyone can get to know each other over toys, drinks and a tasty biscuit or two.
Songs & Smiles is run by The Together Project, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
You’ll be leading the sessions, following a set format but with the opportunity to tailor it to best meet the needs of the people attending. Then afterwards you’ll be chatting with residents, parents/guardians and children. You’ll be partnered with a Songs & Smiles Group Welcomer, who’ll be there to support you.
In a wider sense, you’ll be creating happiness for lots of people: many residents tell us it’s the highlight of their week.
About The Together Project
The Together Project creates joyful experiences that unite young and old. Our events tackle loneliness, positively affect perceptions of age and integrate local communities.
The first activity we've launched is Songs & Smiles, a singing and social group for babies and toddlers, their grown-ups and elderly care home residents. It's a wonderful, life-affirming event that spreads fun, laughter and positivity.
We are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, currently based in London with plans to expand across the UK.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Experience as a musician, teacher, singer or group facilitator would be useful but not essential. More importantly, we need people who are good communicators, confident, enthusiastic and able to engage a diverse group of people. Whilst you don't need to be a professional-level singer, you should be able to hold a tune and feel comfortable at leading the singing elements.
You will be given full training and will shadow another Group Leader for as long as it takes you to become confident to lead the sessions (generally around 3-6 sessions), with as much on-going support as needed. We are looking for people to commit to a minimum of four months in the role once the shadowing period has ended.
Due to the nature of the role, we need someone who is comfortable around both very young children and older people, some of whom may be living with conditions such as dementia. Some of the homes we work with require a DBS check for volunteers.
You will also need to have your own smartphone, which you will use to play music on a stereo via either a lead or Bluetooth. All modern smartphones can easily connect to stereos in both these ways. All the necessary cables, a stereo and the music will be provided and we will show you how to set it up.
Practical Considerations
LOCATION & COMMITMENT
You’ll be running a one hour session, plus set-up and pack-down time, once a week or once a fortnight on a weekday at a care home.
At the moment we're looking for volunteers in north and north east London. We will be partnering with a number of homes over the coming weeks so can offer a range of days and times - let us know when you're available and we'll do our best to match you to a suitable session.
You will be asked to attend a three hour induction course before starting to shadow another Group Leader. This will include a Dementia Friends Information Session, giving you the opportunity to learn a little more about what it’s like to live with dementia.
Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed if agreed in advance.
Benefits:
• New skills and experiences
• Comprehensive training
• References provided after four months
• Fun and sociability
• Meeting different people from your local community
• Knowing you’ve made a real difference to people’s lives