This Christmas we’re sending a special gift to care homes across the UK, to let them know we’re thinking about them during such a difficult year.

Joy in a Box is an Activity Advent Calendar: open up the big, red box and inside there are twenty-four activities for residents and staff, one for each day running up to Christmas.

We’re sending Joy in a Box to fifty care homes, hospices and day centres this Christmas - all for free – with generous support from our funders and audience members. The box includes activities and games, especially created music playlists, giant balloons, elastics and scarves, plus digital access to some of our performances and short films. There are also guides on creative play and ideas for interactive and communal events, including a family disco and a carol service, to help support staff over the festive period.

The box also contains details of The Wednesday Wave, Vamos Theatre’s national campaign to combat loneliness, with posters to colour in and information on how to get waving.

Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, commented, "We’re delighted to be able to send this special gift to care homes, to let them know we are thinking about them this winter. This has been a hugely difficult year for residents and staff, and we want to give them all the support we can until we can get to visit them once again with one of our productions.”

After receiving a box, Richard White, Nursing Home Director of Stanfield Care Home, said, "Just a big thanks for the Joy in a Box, I know my team have already been in touch, but having seen the contents being used over the  Christmas period personally I felt I had to email. Thank you!"

The 2020 pilot of Joy In A Box was funded by Arts Council England, with additional support from Creative Scotland, Sir Barry Jackson Trust, Richard Cadbury Charitable Trust, Glencora Fund and through Divisional Funds from Worcestershire and Warwickshire County Councils. It has been made possible with additional donations from our audience members and supporters, and created with help from our partner organisation, JABADAO.