Joyful Jams receive pivotal funding to continue exceptional community work
The Point is delighted to announce that Joyful Jams’s community interest project Creative Minds, led by Louisa White, has become the recipient of £50,000 in funding. Joyful Jams’s cash injection of £50,000 has been awarded by the People’s Lottery Fund and was voted for by the public. This is vital funding that will go towards the inimitable work of the company, who support and engage hundreds of people suffering with dementia through their Creative Minds project. The Point, Eastleigh will be supporting this incredible project as it comes to life, with artist training to be held at the venue. Joyful Jams: Creative Minds is a community project within Hampshire which is vital to providing people with dementia important time away from the disease. 20,000 people within the county suffer from dementia, making the work the company does so important. “We are delighted with this news; it means we can support the vital work Joyful Jams have created, for and with the local community in Eastleigh, and beyond who have dementia. We will provide space and time for local dance practitioners to train in this area to continue to offer high quality access to the arts.” – Vicki Hargreaves, Dance Development Manager Through the arts, people with this illness can find joy, re-build relationships with loved ones, and celebrate the person behind the disease. Beyond the many ways in which Joyful Jams supports local people, Creative Minds will also help national research into effective arts practice for dementia. The company has already had three years of brilliant work with dementia sufferers and thanks to this funding from the People’s Lottery, they can continue their community work through the arts. Working in partnership with The Point, the University of Winchester and local care providers, Joyful Jams can now implement 200 additional arts sessions in care homes and wellness centres, as well as offer staff and artist training, alongside celebration days and regular Arts for Wellbeing sessions.
