Singer entertains over 700 care home residents throughout July

Date published: 16 August 2020

Kelly Tracey, a singer and founder of Bring Me Sunshine, recently completed a challenge to perform 30 gigs in 30 days at 30 care homes across Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside.

The challenge, which ran from 1 July – 30 July 2020, went ahead every day despite rain or shine, in the hope that much needed funds would be raised for Bring Me Sunshine CIC (community interest company).

Set up by Kelly Tracey in 2019 to provide entertainment and music therapy for people living in care homes with Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, Bring Me Sunshine visited Lakeside Residential Home, Cleggsworth House and Belvoir Residential Home in Littleborough and Springfield Park Care Home in Castleton as part of the initiative.

A singer with over 25 years’ experience, Kelly covered musical numbers for residents that used to be members of the theatre, performed an Elvis impersonation set, sang lots of ABBA hits, as well a Rock ‘n’ Roll themed gig.

She said: “I went with the aim of doing different sets every day and actually completed 28 shows over 32 days due to my last two events being cancelled because of new restrictions. I travelled 618 miles, sang, danced, laughed, and entertained 701 residents, families, carers, and friends.

“It has been proven that music helps adults and the elderly with dementia conditions - reducing depression, improving wellbeing, and massively changing a person’s mood as the music helps bring those old memories back. Music truly is a magical gift.

“With each performance we see amazing transformations. Loved ones who now spend their days quiet and withdrawn due to these conditions suddenly come alive and reminisce through the power of music. The joy this creates between families is amazing and it is so powerful for me to witness the residents knowing every single word of a song.

“It is my job to go out and make this magic happen – hence my slogan ‘Music. Magic. Memories’.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bring Me Sunshine has been entertaining local care homes with live performances through windows where safe as well as streaming live performances online using Facebook, Zoom and Skype to keep the whole community entertained and spirits high through tough times.

The charity has also been working with local food banks and support groups to distribute food donations and PPE to homes, as well as creative packs containing puzzle books, stationery, and card.

A registered Community Interest Company (CIC), Bring Me Sunshine relies solely on donations.

Kelly finished: “If anyone has got an outdoor space or would even like me to sing through a window, it would be fabulous for me to come and entertain. All I ask for is a small donation.

“Now I’ve finished this challenge, I want to focus on providing care homes with specialist leads that enable a phone to be connected to a television, so music and live performances such as mine will be more accessible for residents to watch.

“I think it is important now, given the world’s current situation, for residents to be able to enjoy online gigs and be provided with outside entertainment, but a lot of care homes do not have the devices and equipment to be able to do this.

”I have applied for Awards for All funding, which is funding provided by the National Lottery, so hopefully I will get approved for that.”

To get in contact with Bring Me Sunshine, if you would like to donate or know a care home that would benefit from a socially distanced live performance, email: info@bring-me-sunshine.co.uk