ARTS chiefs at a Worcester company have added to their support for care home residents with a unique Christmas gift.
Vamos Theatre has sent 50 care homes ‘Joy in a Box’ and inside each big, red box there are 24 activities for residents and staff – one for each day running up to Christmas.
The gift is free thanks to generous support from funders and audience members before the pandemic struck and each box includes activities and games, music playlists, giant balloons, elastics and scarves, plus digital access to some of the company’s performances and short films.
There are also guides on creative play and ideas for interactive and communal events, including a family disco and a carol service, to help support staff over the festive period.
The box also has details of the Wednesday Wave, Vamos Theatre’s national campaign to combat loneliness, with posters to colour in and information on how to get waving.
Artistic director Rachael Savage said: “We’re delighted to be able to send this special gift to care homes, to let them know we are thinking about them this winter.
“This has been a hugely difficult year for residents and staff and we want to give them all the support we can until we can get to visit them once again with one of our productions.”
Joy in a Box is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, with additional support from Creative Scotland, Sir Barry Jackson Trust, Richard Cadbury Charitable Trust, Glencora Fund and through funds from Worcestershire and Warwickshire County Councils.
It has been made possible with additional donations from Vamos Theatre’s audience members and supporters and created with help from the company’s partner organisation JABADAO.
