We're trying to reduce the social isolation that older people often feel when living in a care home, due to illness and physical separation from loved ones. We know that spending time with young children can take the focus away from problems and towards more positive aspects of life such as friendship and creativity. The stories, songs and musical improvisation offer opportunities for ideas, memories and feelings to be shared, even when communication is impaired - this gives a sense of personal value and emotional wellbeing to all the individuals involved.

John from The Pines said: "I love being able to make a noise with the instruments"...and... "it was so nice when she chose me" when Amy aged 3 asked to share an instrument with him. At the end of the session he began to sing the song 'There's a hole in my bucket' which the children then learned at nursery and sang it with everyone the following week - this was great fun and helped a much loved song live on in the community.

Care homes rarely have the funds available for regular creative sessions with experienced professionals and tend to provide more one-off experiences. This project focuses more on shared experience and the regular weekly sessions have a deeper and more lasting impact on wellbeing. Understanding between the older people grows and this improves the quality of their relationships beyond the duration of the project. It also brings wider benefits to the community as the children share their experience with family members.

All funds donated to the Dusty Bluebells project will be used to set up and run more projects in the Brighton and Hove, within Belltree Music Therapy CIC, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company.

The Dusty Bluebells project is run by Tina Warnock, HCPC Registered Music Therapist and Director for Belltree Music Therapy CIC, and Fleur Shorthouse, professional storyteller and teacher of philosophy, both of whom have over two decades experience using their creative medium to build connections between people of all ages and abilities.