Special deliveries and performances

During lockdown, we’ve been sending cards, creative packs, songs and friendly smiles to people’s doorsteps across Lewisham and beyond. Most deliveries have been made (covid-safe) by our fantastic volunteers, because we know that a friendly smile means the world. Here’s a snapshot of some of the deliveries we’ve made since March 2020…

Gnomes at Home – 250 boxes delivered with a hand-cast gnome and materials to paint, crowd-sourced succulents and writing prompts, ready to create a windowsill garden. All recipients were referred during 2020 lockdown via local partners including community groups/VCSE contacts, GPs/link workers or people recommending a neighbour as older, isolated individuals. Everyone was offered the chance to stay in touch and many have now joined a Cluster phone group. Some gnomes were delivered with Give-A-Song and Goldsmiths Community Centre, to include a wonderful doorstep performance.

Rhythms of the Day – 50 boxes based around sound, designed with and for people with complex disabilities, visual impairment and people living with dementia.

Poetry by Postcard – poetry, writing prompts and an exchange with care homes in Coventry, featuring poetry by Remi Graves in conversation with Lewisham residents who were shielding and a zine booklet illustrated by Lily Ash Sakula.

Gift parcels – in December 2020, we delivered seasonal gifts with a taste of a 21^st Tea Dance performance on the doorstep, with performances from the Meet Me Choir, Ambient Jam musicians and Ida Barr.

Birthday cards and songs – we’ve endeavoured to remember everyone’s birthday this year (but huge apologies if we’ve missed you or it got lost in the post). In particular, we’ve also managed to make a couple of doorstep or garden performances to mark some of the ‘big’ birthdays, when restrictions have allowed it. If you saw Ted’s film from 2019, then you can start to imagine what a visit from the Meet Me Choir meant to him on his 90th Birthday.

Ongoing deliveries

Clusters deliveries – Weekly and monthly deliveries of materials and inspiration to support people to take part in weekly phone call Clusters, for example:

–Modelling clay and tools for making, sculpture and craft

–Watercolour paints and sketchbooks for painting and drawing

–Wool for knitting and crochet

–Printed song lyrics in folders for choir

Albany Connects – in March 2021, we launched Albany Connects in partnership with the Albany, to reach more of the most isolated people in our communities. Over the coming months we’ll be delivering more from the Albany Garden, and also facilitating more exchanges, so recipients have the option to gift their creations to others. Other seasonal deliveries from the Albany Garden have included:

–Hyacinth bulbs and pots

–Fresh herbs like basil

–Fruit and veg from the garden, and chutneys and jam via the Albany Kitchen

Greenvale Moon creative packs – in December 2021, we sent 100 creative packs to older residents of Lewisham, encouraging them to read and create their own poetry, draw, paint and be creative with shadows! The packs, curated by artists Zoe Gilmour and Oliver Smart and funded by Phoenix Community Housing Community Chest, included:

–Origami paper

–Drawing materials

–Poetry

–Cut out shapes

Other ways we’re staying connected

Our current Project Pages can give you give a flavour of our remote programmes, including:

Creative Clusters is our ongoing programme of weekly group calls and the occasional Zoom for older adults in Lewisham, including Meet Me Choir and the Entelechy Elders Theatre Company

Ambient Jam has been taking place by Zoom, with specially commission Sonic Letters

Meet Me on the Radio our weekly radio show on Resonance FM made partnership with the Albany

Meet Me Zines Artist and volunteer Christine Bone has designed a new Meet Me Zine

Wellbeing calls and check-ins with some of the people in our communities who most need someone to stay in touch

If you’re interested to find out more about any of these programmes or recommending someone to take part, please email us at info@entelechyarts.org.

Thank you

Artists, designers, performers – Thank you to each artist and collaborator; you can find out more on each Project Page about their skilled and considerate work.

Volunteers – Thank you to all the volunteers who have packed, walked and cycled – always with a smile!

Our funders and supporters – with special thanks to City Bridge Trust (London Funders) and Deptford Challenge Trust. You can find out more about each project on the Project Page and Our Supporters page.