What a day on Tuesday. I said that I would let you know how the Showcase went well it was a brilliant day. Thank you to Elizabeth who posted the pictures at the end of last week and presented the Volunteer section of the Day. It was wonderful to hear people participate from the volunteer project and listen to families tell of the impact the support given was having. We had a gentleman and his volunteer playing the violin which really was a highlight. As part of the exhibition Elizabeth had plotted on a map of Edinburgh the places where each volunteer made visits too. It really showed so clearly the impact Forget Me Notes is having all over the city.
The Café space featured so many people singing and playing. What was evidenced so well was the warmth and friendship experienced by those within Forget Me Notes. Along with presentations about Music Memories and the Choir it was a huge success. We included our evaluation tree and encouraged people to write a message about the day and hang it on the tree. We had messages that said “Can we do this again” and “What a wonderful afternoon singing with people from different cultures and making new friends”.
The day finished with a Ceilidh, and it was so inclusive. So much so that my friend Tasha was instructing people on how to do the dances. I think it is true to say that we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. We have made new friends of the MP Scott Arthur as you will have seen from Elizabeth’s post and several councillors who are keen to support us into the future.
Toward the end of the week, we held a review of the service we deliver at Open Door as the funding for year one of the project is coming to an end. We not only got the opportunity to look back and reflect but to look forward as we have secured the funding for our second year. This funding will allow us to increase the project to five days over the month and include the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday groups. When the project started, we hoped to be able to show the Open Door as a place of excellence when using music for Health and Well-being. The new funding will allow us the opportunity to do that and to influence a wider group of people when considering how we use music for health in our everyday experiences.
This has been an exhausting week but one that has had an impact that we will only fully measure as we move forward. Thank you for all the support you give to us in all the various forms it takes.
Let’s see what this week brings!