Care South care homes were Elizabeth House and Dorset House in Poole and Queensmead at Castle Dene in Bournemouth.

The hour-long interactive performance was designed specifically with elderly residents in mind and featured a range of genres. Professional musicians from the company encouraged residents to get involved by singing, dancing and clapping along. They also invited residents to request their favourite classics.

The residents at Elizabeth House enjoyed the performance so much they will receive another visit from the orchestra on Friday 22 July.

Live music and creative performances such as these has a huge effect on many residents helping them to reminisce. Music is a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and connections with others, even if they are in the later stages of dementia.

Bea Hankey, acting head of BSO Participate, said: “The BSO exists to provide cultural opportunity to everyone in the area, both in and beyond the concert hall — and during the past two years we’ve been keen to return to residents in local care homes, who we know really benefit from live music-making. Having kept in touch during the pandemic with our innovative livestreamed concerts, we’re thrilled to finally return this spring and are grateful to Tapper Funeral Service and Rawlins Davy for their generous support for this valued part of the Orchestra’s work.”

Chris Golding, head of marketing and PR from Care South, commented: “For many residents, attending concerts or performances is not possible so it has been a pleasure for us to be able to bring these to them.”