Welcome to The Jolly Project
Creating joy. Connecting communities. Changing lives.
Caroline hadn’t sung in 30 years. But when the first notes of Dancing Queen started, her eyes lit up and the whole room joined in. Moments like this are why The Jolly Project exists.
We’re a Derby and Nottingham-based charity tackling loneliness and isolation through the simple, powerful magic of singing, creating, laughing, and connecting. Whether it’s a care home sing-along, a school project sharing local history, or a community choir referred through social prescribing, we lift spirits and break down barriers, one joyful moment at a time.
What we do
We create inclusive, uplifting projects that bring people together across generations, backgrounds, and abilities:
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Social Prescribed Choirs
Friendly, no-pressure singing sessions for adults experiencing loneliness, grief, or mental health challenges. No auditions, just songs that lift the soul. -
Intergenerational Arts Days
Music, crafts, storytelling, and cake! Older adults and young people creating, performing, and laughing together. -
Care Home Sing-Alongs
Toe-tapping tunes and warm connection, adapted for all abilities so everyone can join in. -
Youth Music Creation
Helping young people write, record, and perform their own songs, from friendship anthems to personal stories. -
Legacy Projects for Schools
Bringing local history to life as older adults share their stories through music and storytelling with schoolchildren. -
The Jolly Panto Project
A sparkly, cheeky mix of live performance and filmed storytelling, created by arts students with care home residents and children.
Why it matters
Loneliness is on the rise, and it’s bad for our health. The NHS reports that over 70% of people in social prescribing programmes see their well-being improve. We see that every week, in the smiles, the laughter, and the friendships that grow.