Magic Me is an arts charity that brings the generations together to build a stronger, safer community. Our projects often link unlikely partners. Young people aged 8+ and adults aged 60+ team up through shared, creative activity.
Intergenerational groups meet on a weekly basis in schools, museums, older peoples clubs, care homes, community and cultural organisations.Projects are led by our team of freelance creative artists: musicians, dancers, photographers, printmakers, writers and drama specialists. They design activities to stimulate conversation and an exchange of ideas. Participants are often diverse in culture and faith as well as age group.
Specific projects for care settings
The After Party
Magic Me’s longstanding, award winning Cocktails in Care Homes project saw us throwing monthly cocktail parties in care homes and extra care schemes across London. Parties were our response to reports of quiet and lonely evenings in care homes, and the inability of many residents to pop down the pub or out to socialise with friends, due to ill health, frailty and diminished energy. Many residents families live far away, and many didn’t have visitors for weeks at a time.
By January 2020, we were throwing monthly parties in 18 care homes and extra care schemes across London, attended by over 400 volunteers and 500 residents per year, alongside care staff and family members. No two parties were ever the same, with activities and entertainment shaped by the interests of party goers. Sessions encompassed themed decor, music, dancing, games and magic, with support from specialist volunteers and creative organisations.
The After Party is Cocktails team’s response to the changing situations around the Covid-19 virus, and is a new format for the Cocktails project over the coming months. We aim to find new ways to fulfil our project aims of connecting young and older adults through regular social activity, even if we are no longer able to meet face to face. The current situation is unprecedented, and the future unpredictable, and we are eager for the project to take a new and dynamic shape, flexible and adjustable to the rapidly changing situation. Our core project’s aim to reduce social isolation in our communities has never been more pressing.
Useful Resources
ACTIVITY – Create your own colour mood scene (PDF – 300kb)