The first working week of a new year and we have had a positive start. We have had two new care homes enquire about us working with them. One has already confirmed, and we will start work on the 28th of January. We will need to wait and see what might be possible at the other care home. We delivered sessions at Morningside, Eagle Lodge, Strachan House and Craighall. When we arrived at Craighall we discovered that one of the residents who attends the group was not so well. We decided that we would go and sing to him in his room. It was great to see such a positive reaction to the music as he tapped his feet. Kenny and I got a lift seeing him do this.
On Thursday Libby, Elizabeth and I had a meeting at RS Macdonald, this was to look at our monitoring and evaluation to see if we could find a way of storing and accessing the information more easily. This will be of great help to me when doing funding applications, as all the information is in one place.
We are due to submit a report to RS Macdonald with regard our volunteer project. Elizabeth has completed the report, and it was a joy to read and understand all that has been achieved over the last year. We have been able to complete more than 250 visits to people’s homes to deliver music sessions to those people who have difficulty in attending community activities. Behind this number lies relationships that are both precious and important to those receiving them and their families. One Gentleman who plays the violin enjoys duets with his volunteer. His family have decided that the impact of being a part of a group means that they now pay for private support in order that he can come to St Brides each week. What is so good when the Gentleman plays at St Brides, is that he plays alongside one of our facilitators Roddy who also plays violin. There are times in order that his playing is affirmed that Roddy will follow him and play a piece in time with the gentleman. When I watch him play, I see the impact it has and the joy that he feels is written all over his face. After reading Elizabeth’s report I must admit that a tear filled my eye when I realised the impact that this part of the project is making. I could never have thought that we would be so affective and deliver something so precious.
We now have tickets available for the Ceilidh and we have been looking for raffle prizes. We already have a Guitar, Vouchers for Marks & Spencer’s and various other prizes. I am sure it is going to be a great evening. Tickets are £12 and if you would like to come and join us then just let me know.
Hope you have a great week.