Then it was our weekly session at Brooke Mead, with Emma and Penny. Five hardy souls came into the garden, to join in with us playing through the railings, joining in with the music and dancing – all of us smiling at each other.

ResidentT suggested a song for J because ‘she knows all the words to that one – you know, the one about the cow winking her eye!’

This is also a memorable one for him because when we used to see him week-by week in person, T would hold a hand drum between his knees very confidently, saying ‘this is how I used to hold the bucket when I was milking’.

At the end of the session yesterday, T doffed his flat cap and said, ‘I take my hat off to you for coming every week to do this – it means the world to us’.

Next was a physically-distanced and well ventilated session at Hop 50+ with Anna, for three pairs of people (people living with dementia and their companions); it was a really lovely session singing familiar songs and taking requests, as well as some spontaneous soundmaking and various contributions including ‘you’ll never get to heaven in an old Ford car’: much foot tapping, clapping, smiles, and joy.

There was even a song for Freddy the dog. I could tell we’d had an improv training session last Saturday: we were all freer – there was space and it was lovely.

Sometimes in these new times we can get a little stuck in familiar repertoire because of challenges of space or hearing each other – or just simply because it is hard to hold space for spontaneity over Zoom – so whenever there is fully creative space it feels wonderful.