Additional information

We were delighted to be able to research, develop and pilot a new interactive, musical, reminiscence theatre production called 'Musical Memories' in December 2023 for 120 people. We then went on to tour the show in the summer of 2024 to older people's clubs, residential homes and day centres across London. We produced three versions of the show: for mixed audiences, for people living with advanced dementias, and one version for people from Caribbean communities. We were supported by 7 older volunteers and performed in 20 different venues across London to 520 older people and their carers. We would like to thank the Arts Council and the City Bridge Foundation for funding the project. "Watching the performance of Jazanne Arts' 'Musical Memories' at the Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. In the theatre we all strive to create a meaningful connection with the audience. Here the audience became an intrinsic part of the performance. Their individual lived experiences merged with the characters and drew us all in to a shared understanding of the lives lived, the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by a community in their later years." Paul Everitt, Localmotion Enfield Coordinator The show highlights important issues around ageing, transition, friendship and resilience. The audience join in with the show throughout, singing, dancing, answering questions and sharing their own memories. Peer review Audience feedback (both verbal and written): "It brought back memories, especially the rock n roll" "It brought a tear to my eye" "I thought it was going to be just a bit of singing but this was the proper thing like the West End - You made my day!" "You showed us our life, it was so true just like you said." Jazanne Arts have been working in partnership with AgeUK Enfield at the Parker Centre for people living with dementias, along with 7 independent older volunteers on a project called 'Joyful Connections'. We have been training independent older volunteers and the day centre staff, and running regular arts and reminiscence activities with 2 groups of older people who are living with mild through to advanced dementias. We have delivered over 40 sessions combining singing, reminiscence, dancing and storytelling using both photographs and objects to stimulate discussion with 46 older people living with dementias. We have delivered 2 celebratory events for these participants. We are grateful to be funded by the People's Health Trust using money raised by Health Lottery London East. "You provide a good variety of singing, dancing and exercise and reminiscence which is very well suited to our clients" Manager, Day Centre "It was such a lonely time, but now being a volunteer is so rewarding. There are no words to explain, it's opened my eyes. I'm enjoying every minute, just as much as the people we're helping do." Volunteer "You make magic when you come here, the clients love your visits, and it helps their well-being" Care worker "Why can't you come every day? Your sessions make my week." Participant The 'Dream Team', a group of 15 independent older people from Enfield, have been meeting fortnightly both as Jazanne Arts' advisory group and to produce an audio series of their self-written sci-fi, climate change love story called 'Act Now'. The series had a premiere in Edmonton with over 30 people attending, and it has since had lots of people listening to their story online. Following this, the group started working on an original murder mystery comedy, to be staged in May 2025. This project was funded by the City Bridge Foundation, National Lottery Awards for All, Laing and private donations. "It was a fantastic experience doing the recording, I didn't think I could do it, but you helped me every step of the way" Participant "It's actually very good. I surprise myself. I couldn't believe it was going to have such an impact" Participant Jazanne Arts delivered regular theatre and writing sessions primarily for Caribbean older women from 'Agewell', a Newham-based group. The 15 older people wrote a play set in a foodbank that explored the effects of poverty, mental health and othering. Jazanne Arts produced and presented the play, performed by primarily Caribbean women in Newham, March 2024 to over 150 people over three performances at Applecart Arts Theatre. The play was funded by the City Bridge Foundation and the National Lottery Awards for All. Participants from the Agewell drama group said: "I knew Jazanne Arts was good from previous work with you, but getting this production to fruition was a great achievement" "Thank you for your patience with us, guiding us throughout. I must say I really enjoyed doing the performance and learnt a lot. My grandchildren really enjoyed it and my friends loved the reality of the story" "Wonderful show with very talented people who clearly care about the state of this country" Audience member Jazanne Arts created a project called 'Cooking Connections'. We ran 20 weekly reminiscence workshops for 43 participants. The sessions were for vulnerable older people and explored recipes that have a special meaning for them and the stories that are linked to the food. Jazanne worked in partnership with the Time Together club, Applecart Arts and the Bereavement Centre drop-in in Newham. Thirteen people contributed stories and recipes for a beautiful book that was printed, and they also performed in a presentation to launch the book in three different venues in Newham and Enfield in the summer of 2024 to over 135 people in total. Two hundred A4 hardback books were produced and distributed across Newham. In addition, copies have been sent to Australia, Singapore, the Caribbean and Ghana. We are grateful for funding by Culture Within Newham/Catch 22. Participants: "Being part of it I was ever so proud – it was lovely to be amongst friends and make new friends" "I learnt more about other people's lives and cultures in the 30 minutes of our launch than in the 30 years before of knowing people" We began a new intergenerational project in Newham called 'Homelands' around the theme of migration in the autumn of 2024. We delivered 4 outreach sessions to over 100 people and then set up a new regular group for 16+ older people. Partners to the project included: the Forest Gate Community Garden, Cornerstone Cafe, Our Community Cares and Earlham Primary School. The aim was for the older people to share their stories with children and then produce an exhibition with performances by the older people and children including singing, drama and poetry in March 2025. "This will be such a good opportunity for the children... we are really excited" Senior Leader, Earlham School "I lived in Newham many years and didn’t know about how people felt when they arrived... it's good to share stories" Participant We would like to thank Culture Within Newham and the City Bridge Foundation for the funding. Jazanne Arts has also: * Won an award from the Big Syn International Film Festival for our short film 'How to Age Successfully', which featured our volunteers and participants. The film had over 4,000 views and was shown on the big screen at the Piccadilly lights. We received our award at a cinema in the heart of the West End. Supported by the City Bridge Foundation. * Partnered with Immediate Theatre to bring older people's drama groups together across North and East London and share their work and strengthen their voices. Funded by the City Bridge Foundation. * Presented at face-to-face and online conferences and symposiums. The activities have benefitted the community by: * Improving resilience for vulnerable older people including those from Caribbean communities and those living with dementia * Improving quality of life through the arts for vulnerable older people * Reducing isolation by bringing older people together through arts activities * Improving mental and physical wellbeing for disadvantaged older people * Improving the well-being and connections between local older people and children * Promoting the work of Caribbean and mixed cultural older artists and theatre makers Jazanne Arts' Directors would like to thank all our funders, commissioners, partners, volunteers, facilitators, artists and especially our management committee for all their contributions during 2023-2024. We acknowledge, in particular, the support of: * The City Bridge Foundation, £20,200 * Arts Council England, £31,867 * People's Health Trust, £11,550 * Culture Within Newham, £14,940 * Enfield Council, £3,328.50 --

This report was approved by the board of directors on 25 September 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Anne Smol
Status: Director