Shapeshifter Productions was set up in 2007 as a not for profit performing arts organisation based in Waltham Forest. It became a charity in 2011 and its reach has grown into Sussex and Kent. The charity has a strong focus on music productions with a strong element of audience participation. Founder, Alison Jones moved to Sandgate, near Folkestone, from Waltham Forest and has brought the charity with her.

The Smiling Sessions project in particular is aimed at bringing music and social interaction to people living in sheltered housing and care homes. As well as bringing joy from music, one of the core roles of Smiling Sessions is to combat isolation and loneliness. Although care homes and sheltered housing do have communal areas, residents often don’t use it and because of this there is a sense of loneliness and isolation even in these shared accommodation spaces.

The Smiling Sessions are usually organised by the care home or housing association and the charity delivers 4-6 sessions over an 8-12 week period, free of charge. Professional singers and musicians perform in the communal areas of the sheltered housing or care home and the residents are given a song book so they can join in. A CD is also given to the care home for them to listen to after and musicians also follow up with a Christmas party.

The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust has funded Shapeshifter Production’s Smiling Sessions so that they can be delivered to care homes in Folkestone. The charity is also trying to raise money from elsewhere, including the Arts Council, so that even more sessions can be delivered.

For more information about Shapeshifter Productions activities please see the charity’s website.