#CelebratingSocialCare: singing and partying!
28 Apr 2025
6 min read
Throughout April we’re #CelebratingSocialCare and all the great work happening across the sector. We asked you to send in your good news stories and we’ll be sharing these throughout the month. Today we hear about care staff and people being supported who are singing and celebrating for special occasions.
Combining care and entertainment
Samantha Joyce, Health and Care Assistant at The Beeches, Parkhaven Trust, has been using the power of music to entertain their residents for over five years.
Samantha always saw herself as a kind and caring person throughout her life. She loved to look after people, whether that was making them laugh, smile, cooking for them, singing to them or just being there to show support.
She also had a very close bond with her grandparents and enjoyed helping them with trips to the shops, cleaning and providing company. Unfortunately, her grandfather had a hip replacement and needed the extra care, which led Samantha to becoming more involved with household duties, eventually supporting him back onto his feet completely. Later, her grandmother also developed breast and lung cancer, in addition to a variety of other health challenges. Samantha was instrumental into supporting her grandmother throughout this period.
Outside of caring for grandparents, Samantha was a keen singer and dancer, preferring to perform motown and soul music. Eventually, her mother encouraged her to apply to become a health care assistant, which has led her to a career in care that has allowed her to put her singing and dancing skills to good use.
Samantha regularly sings and dances for residents, getting everybody to sing along. Each Christmas day for the past five years, she’s spent time after her shift visiting each building to do a Christmas concert with the residents. It’s a wonderful annual event that keeps everyone in great spirits!
Coming together for coffee
Bright Dawn Home Care has recently launched its own coffee morning event, which welcomes special guest speakers every month.
This past February, they welcomed Martin Sewell from the Solihull branch of Parkinsons UK. These sessions are informative ways for people to come together to share advice, provide emotional support, and help each other navigate challenges, as well as raise awareness and offer education. They also serve to foster a strong sense of community, where people can connect over shared experiences, exchange valuable insights, and provide mutual support. Beyond the emotional benefits, they also serve as an important platform for raising awareness of care issues.
One coffee morning attendee said:
Attending these coffee mornings has opened my eyes to so many resources and support options I didn’t know existed. It has made a huge difference in how I manage things day-to-day.
Mark and Andrea make it official
Mark and Andrea, two people being supported by PossAbilities Shared Lives service, have been in a relationship for a number of years. Mark had always dreamt of getting married on his deceased father’s birthday, in memory of him.
A number of years ago it had been determined that Mark did not have the capacity to enter into a legal wedding ceremony. Despite this, Mark was determined that he and Amanda would make their love for one another ‘official’. With the support of their Shared Lives carers, Sharon and Debbie, Andrea and Mark arranged a hand tying ceremony.
The day of the ceremony was attended by many of their friends and family, and Mark’s grandmother was able to see her grandson get married. The day itself was magical, Amanda and Mark held their wedding in a beautifully decorated tepee, followed by a buffet and party celebration. Mark gave the most amazing speech
Mark and Amanda now aspire to have a formal, legal wedding!
The Shared Lives team said:
Mark and Amanda’s wedding was supported by many of their friends who also have learning disabilities, it has enabled them to recognise that everyone has rights regardless of ability or disability.
Print this page