The Arts in Care Digital Programme, curated and facilitated by 100% Digital Leeds, is a safe and supportive space for older people in care to experience culture with a digital element. Whether that be taking part in a virtual drumming session, an online chair based gentle movement class, dialling into a comedy opera session or seeing the sights on a virtual canal tour. By utilising digital as an enabler, care staff can bring the colours, sights and sounds of the outside world into the world of the care resident.
The Arts in Care Digital Programme may now be over for another year but there are still many opportunities to engage with digital for the benefit of staff and care recipients throughout the year. If your care setting is interested in receiving support from the digital inclusion team please use the contact form.
Lunchtime recitals
Leeds International Piano Competition have curated 30 minute programmes of music from many different genres including classical, jazz, musical theatre, brass bands, organ recitals, chamber music, orchestral music, based on the theme ‘Reflections’ which is the 2023 National Day of Arts in Care Homes theme.
These programmes are designed to be listened to over lunchtime, so that people can focus on the recitals or have them on in the background while they eat lunch.
Autumn: Lunchtime Recital – Autumn
Reflections: Lunchtime Recital – Reflections
Mirror in the Mirror: Lunchtime Recital – Mirror in the Mirror
Over the Rainbow: Lunchtime Recital – Over the Rainbow
Carers Leeds Tea Dance
Join the Leeds International Piano Competition Carers tea dance streamed from Leeds Civic Hall. Open to staff of Carers Leeds, people living with dementia and their families, the very first Leeds Carers Piano Competition was held at Opera North on 17th July. The winner from that event then played at a tea dance for carers and people living with dementia in the Civic Hall in September. Visit the YouTube link to access the tea dance stream and enjoy listening to the music and maybe have a bit of a dance too, or maybe a tea dance of your own! Get your glad rags on, shine up your dancing shoes and join in!
Opera North
This online session will introduce you to Verdi’s comic opera Fasltaff, adapted from Shakespeare’s Henry IV. Led by vocal animateur Marie Claire Breen, this will be a friendly space to learn, sing and have fun!
RJC Dance: October sessions for residents during Black History Month
Join RJC Dance for a one hour dance and movement session set to music that’s sure to get toes tapping, faces smiling and the memories flooding back! This session is appropriate for a range of abilities and seated variations will be demonstrated by the dance practitioner. RJC Dance is the leading inclusive Black dance organisation in the North empowering young people and adults through dance, movement and exercise. RJC are committed to vitality, active participation, creativity and renewal, working in partnership with national organisations to develop the diversity of Black British dance as a valued art form.
Contact administratorjcdance@icloud.com to find out more and book
Ascendance
Ascendance run regular Dance With Parkinson’s online sessions targeted for people living at home with neuro-disabilities. For more information visit the Ascendance website.
Yorkshire Dance: In Mature Company Zoom sessions
Yorkshire Dance is passionate about offering high quality arts interventions and supporting creative opportunities to underserved care homes and communities in Leeds. ‘In Mature Company’ is a programme of creative dance, movement and music aimed at frail older adults and people living with dementia, including weekly Zoom sessions.
Join Yorkshire Dance for free fun and lively dance sessions online every Tuesday, open to Leeds Care Homes, Day Centres and Recovery Hubs. Led by professional dance artists it’s a great way to keep active, promote body awareness, holistic health and fitness. You can do as much or as little as you like, and you can be seated or standing (some dancers choose to just do the upper body moves). The classes are all adaptable to different mobility levels and care staff are encouraged to also be part of the fun!
For more information and to join in please email IMC@yorkshiredance.com
Other resources
Memory boxes from Marks and Spencers
Sporting resources for older people from Sporting Memories
Visual archive of Sunny Bank Mill
Archive of old photos of Leeds at Leodis.net
The My House of Memories app allows you to explore objects from the past and share memories together. It can be used by anyone, but has been designed for, and with, people living with dementia and their carers
The BorrowBox app allows users to browse, preview, reserve, and download library titles on their electronic devices free of charge using a Leeds library card.
Leeds Libraries online resources including online magazines and newspapers
MediciTV is the world leading classical music channel offering access to the best of classical music. Sign in using a Leeds library card.