THE JIG OF LIFE IN THE BANK OF IDEAS

Photo: Carrie Davenport

Oh Yeah will work with a group of older Carers in Newington Day Centre to create a song of hope through participatory music workshops in a project called The Jig of Life. These sessions will explore how music can inspire, provide hope and act as a catalyst for connection and change. The project will bring together Carers who often go unrecognised despite the vital support they provide to loved ones, offering them a space to share their experiences and to connect with others facing similar challenges.

Through facilitated workshops, participants will reflect on what matters to them and translate these thoughts and feelings into a collaboratively written, have a shared experience considering these thoughts recorded song, piece of work, which may also be performed publicly. The final song, together with recorded reflections from participants, will form a small digital archive celebrating the voices and experiences of carers in Belfast.

Older Carers are among the most marginalised members of our communities. Many are overworked, are often not paid, and provide essential care to loved ones that quietly sustains our health and social care systems. but individually. Despite their contribution, their voices and experiences are rarely recognised. We want to celebrate them and honour their lives, stories, and resilience.

Professional musicians will guide the creative process while researchers from Queen’s will document how music can act as a tool for storytelling, connection and wellbeing with the final song being recorded at the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC).

We will present the project at this year’s Bank of Ideas Voting Day at Belfast City Hall on Sunday 10th May.

Find out more about the Bank of Ideas here.