A delivery service with a difference is ensuring older residents in supported housing receive essential supplies with a smile and a sing-a-long.
Equal Arts, which specialises in workshops to reduce loneliness and improve the wellbeing of older people in Gateshead, is taking phone orders for weekly essentials and delivering them to doorsteps with a cheery tune.
The charity is working with professional artists to launch the ‘Singing Hinnies’ delivery service, which is already proving popular with residents who are at risk of becoming lonely during the coronavirus lockdown.
Margaret Ingram, who has been receiving 'Singing Hinnies' deliveries to her home at Wood Green in Gateshead, said: “It’s been absolutely marvellous to know they are coming.
“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.”
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Wood Green benefited from weekly creative activities with children from the nearby school.
However, following school closures and the Government’s advice on social distancing, Equal Arts were eager to find alternative ways to care and connect with older people.
As well as their musical delivery service, the charity has devised ‘Create at Home’ activity packs as a source of entertainment.
Jos Forester-Melville, the charity’s HenPower programme leader, which uses hen-keeping to combat loneliness and depression in older people, is helping to make musical deliveries.
She said: “With many finding themselves at home, with days seeming longer in lockdown we’re reaching out to the communities we support to help where we can.
“We understand the importance of connection and creativity is a great way to stay close.
“We know how detrimental loneliness can be, so keeping connected in a safe way, we will deliver their essentials with a smile and song.”
To order 'Singing Hinnies' food delivery and find out more about receiving the charity’s 'Create at Home' packs call 0191 261 1619 or email information@equalarts.org.uk
