Colleagues and community members at Parklands Care Home in Bedwas, Caerphilly, have experienced a heart-warming moment after a recent singing group brought together two couples who have since formed a lasting friendship.
The singing group is hosted by Parklands in conjunction with local charity Inside Out Cymru and takes place every other Thursday at the community’s historic Workmen’s Hall, which was also used as a filming location for the drama series The Crown. Marie Evans, Senior Wellbeing Lead at Parklands, organises the sessions and encourages as many members of the community as possible to attend. If the weather is particularly bad, Marie hosts the group at Parklands Care Home to ensure everyone can still take part.
At the latest session, the couples met for the first time while enjoying an afternoon of music and conversation. What began as a shared singing session has grown into a genuine social connection, with the pairs staying in touch and now meeting up regularly outside of the group.
Marie Evans said the experience has been deeply moving:
“I can’t explain how this has made me feel. My hope was always to bring together those who need it most, so they could form friendships with others in similar situations.”
The singing group was created with a clear purpose: to provide a welcoming space for connection and mutual support, particularly for spouses and carers navigating challenging circumstances.
Tracie Blake, who attends the sessions, shared how meaningful the group has been for her since her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis:
“Since my husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, life has felt completely unsettled. Meeting others who understand what I'm going through has given me strength and reassurance.”
Kate Verity, Project Manager at Inside Out Cymru, commented:
"Inside Out Cymru is a charity promoting mental health and wellbeing through creative activities. The group is open to members of the community to attend and offers a welcoming and inclusive setting for people to enjoy music together.
“These sessions have been made possible with funding from the Regional Integration Fund Further Faster grant and has allowed us to run inclusive music sessions with our partners at Parklands Care Home and Bedwas Workmen's Hall.
“The group has worked with a variety of musicians and supports people in the community with lived experience of dementia, as well as their friends and relatives, alongside residents at care homes and their carers."
The sessions are also strengthening Parklands’ links with the local community, with Church View Care Home and Trafalgar Park Care Home recently joining the group. While attendance was modest at the first gathering of the year, the impact has been significant, demonstrating the power of shared experiences in fostering connection and wellbeing.
This initiative highlights how Parklands colleagues, working in partnership with Inside Out Cymru, are creating meaningful moments that go far beyond the activity itself, building friendships, support networks and genuine community connections that enrich the lives of residents, families and carers alike.
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Parklands - Care home in Bedwas, Caerphilly | HC One