At Moat House Care Home in Great Easton, Essex, residents regularly enjoy engaging music and movement sessions led by Andy from Frederick Douglas Care Home Entertainment. These sessions are filled with dancing, singing, and interactive use of musical instruments, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere.
"These music and movement sessions are held twice a month with each session following a theme. Andy who leads the sessions perfectly selects the music that is both age-appropriate and fitting for the theme. To begin, residents do a gentle warm-up using instruments and props, gradually building up to more active movement. Whether residents are dancing on their feet or in their chairs, they adjust it suit their abilities," comments Customer Relations Manager George Byford.
“Our residents truly engage in these sessions,” adds Wellbeing Coordinator Kerry Pennock. “Andy is fantastic—he’s hands-on and uses props to encourage gentle movement without the residents even realising they’re exercising. This helps improve their balance and overall health and wellbeing.”
Home Manager Jade Smith highlights the impact of these sessions: “One of the most rewarding aspects of these sessions is seeing how familiar songs can encourage even our non-verbal residents to sing along and interact in their own way. This, to me, is what our work is all about. If our residents can spend an hour smiling, laughing, and forgetting their worries, we’ve done our job.”
Kerry Pennock also notes, “Our residents love the fun and friendship these sessions bring. They come together without fear of judgment, embracing the moment and expressing themselves freely. Some songs even evoke different emotions—happiness, sadness—but it’s always a safe space for them to experience and share those feelings.”
If you want to find out more about the Music and Movement Sessions at Moat House Care Home or want to find out more about the care home, we invite you to get in touch with our Customer Relations Manager, George Byford, at 07399 062 647 or via email at george.byford@countrycourtcare.com.
