Greater Manchester’s older residents will be able to access a special Christmas concert, through a newly released app.
The Greater Moments app has been created to bring “moments that matter” to people during the Covid-19 pandemic – especially those living with dementia. It was commissioned by Dementia United, Greater Manchester’s programme for dementia, and developed by Social Sense and Hitch marketing.
“The vision for Greater Moments is to provide a single access point for all activities, events and services in Greater Manchester so that it’s possible for older residents in particular to bring key moments of their lives into one place,” explained Gary Lovatt, co-creator of Greater Moments and Managing Director of Social Sense.
“By measuring in real time those experiences we can adjust and adapt our response, maintain independence for longer and hopefully support carers in a way that works well for them.”
The concert itself will be broadcast live on December 20th and features a singalong performance, a school production and messages of recognition and hope from across the community.
It’s being supported by Hitch Marketing, MediaCityUK-based Badger and Combes and will be recorded at The Met in Bury.
Those tuning in will be invited to “score” how they are feeling before and after the event, so that more can be learnt about the day-to-day lives of those affected by dementia and what more can be done to support them.
“During the pandemic many of us have felt isolated and missed seeing our friends and family in the normal way. This has been particularly hard for people living with dementia, who have the added problem of not being able to get the personal contact that makes a huge difference to their lives and mood,” said Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham.
“The Greater Moments app is one of the ways we’ve been able to maintain that social link and have been able to help people find alternatives to activities they enjoyed before the pandemic.
“The Christmas concert is a great example of how despite the barriers we can still come together and collectively celebrate the festive season as a community.”
Musical theatre singer Roy Locke will be leading the show.
