Arts project for the lonely released in time for second lockdown

A creative lockdown arts project, Armchair Adventures, launches today (Thursday 12 November) to help people across Manchester who are feeling lonely and isolated.

Armchair Adventures is a new interactive podcast series launched by theatre-based community interest company, Made by Mortals and their theatre group for over-55s, Hearts and Minds, which will feature a large online event with 50 social bubbles, together with older people.

Created during the first lockdown in March, the podcast comes with activity packs and online sessions, taking listeners through an adventure through the imagination, with the first episode coming out on 12 November, two more episodes before Christmas and another three in 2021.

The podcast is available to everyone across Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, and all the activities are detailed on the website: www.madebymortals.org

Andy Smith, director at Made by Mortals, said: “There are many people who are suffering from isolation and loneliness from the restrictions around Covid-19.

“There are many care homes which still don’t know when they will be able to allow visitors, so the continued isolation of residents looks set to continue. Children missed six months of schooling, and many of them may still be suffering from the effects of the isolation that entailed.

“We created Armchair Adventures in conjunction with the Hearts and Minds theatre company we support and work with to continue our inter-generational music and theatre work.

“It has been designed so that the activities are accessible to everyone and we are limited only by our imagination.”

Made by Mortals has also funded 600 packs including an MP3 player to be distributed among elderly people in Manchester who may not have internet access, as well as various online sessions for Greater Manchester primary school children.

Bolton At Home and Action Together have also contributed to the project by supporting the distribution of activity packs to digitally-excluded people, and additional funding has come from government and National Lottery players.

Made by Mortals was launched in 2017, focusing on theatre that explores health and societal issues, aiming to be accessible for all.

The podcast episodes can be found at:

Spotify:

• https://open.spotify.com/show/79AFh1Kgsx9LCCZkgOnZle?si=Q7mZxBH9SEqPwlTjqapYrQ

iTunes:

• https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/armchair-adventures/id1531902282
• https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/armchair-adventures-armchair-adventures-ZxgKm7HOC_j/