Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance created for people living with dementia, learning disabilities and other neurological conditions. Through music, dance, puppetry and laughter, the show brings pleasure and meaning to everyone watching, keeping audiences engaged, involved and exhilarated. Set in the 1940s and 1950s, there’s music to bring back memories, dancing to enjoy (or join in with), swinging dresses and best suits. It’s playful and joyous, encouraging everyone to take part and express themselves.

High levels of participation help audiences to feel included and to make genuine connections – proven to have a positive impact on mental and physical health. Sharing Joy is for carers, families and loved ones too, so whether you’re caring for someone at home or working professionally in care, everyone is welcome.

Sharing Joy can be performed in a variety of venues, including theatres, care homes, hospices, hospitals and community centres.

Vamos Theatre has been working with the health and care sectors for over a decade, offering performances and workshops that engage, educate and inspire.

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Benefits and learning outcomes
•  Encourages a re-engagement with culture
•  Involves high levels of participation, proven to improve mental and physical health
•  Encourages confidence, attention and communication, improving well-being and contentment
•  Gives people living with dementia the opportunity to connect in alternative ways
•  Promotes knowledge, training and skill-building in carers, supporting the delivery of excellent care
•  Provides meaningful engagement, an Essential Skills cluster for pre-registration nurses (NMC) and a Social Care Institute Marker of Excellence.
•  Links to Care Certificate Standards 4,5,6, 7 and 9 (HSC training).

Our funders
Sharing Joy is supported by Arts Council England, Worcestershire County Council, The Wilmcote Charitrust, Richard Cadbury Trust, The Pam Britton Trust for Dementia and Worcester Bosch. The show was originally developed in partnership with The Hereford Courtyard, with inspiration from movement-play specialists JABADAO and has been generously supported by Sir Barry Jackson Trust and Gary Wiltshire. A special commission of the show toured as part of Sanctuary Care's Shine project. The 2020 tour of Sharing Joy was generously supported by Creative Scotland.