Space Ukes rocket at Arcare Portarlington Aged Care

THE St Leonards Community Space ukulele group “Space Ukes” has been visiting nursing homes free of charge to bring music and entertainment to residents.

Recently with their ukuleles and a banjo hanging around their necks, seven members of the group performed different songs for the residents of the Arcare Portarlington Aged Care, who find the experience breaks their normal daily routine.

“It gets people out of their rooms and they enjoy it, they can sing along and just really enjoy the people here,” Arcare Portarlington’s lifestyle co-ordinator Tammy Baine said.

Space Ukes founder Janet Chalmers said she just liked to sing and move along with it.

“Ukuleles are fun and it’s joyous, it’s just a lovely little thing that people really enjoy listening to and playing and it’s easy to learn.”

Ms Chalmers was disappointed she could not make the performance on the day, but mentioned that Space Ukes performed in aged-care facilities and organisations around the Bellarine as a way of engaging with the community through music.

“It is a lovely way of giving back to the community by doing what we do, singing to the residents,” ukulele player June Harrigan said.

David Lanham said the group tried to pick songs the audience would remember from their youth, which encouraged people to revisit positive memories.

The St Leonards Space Ukes meet every Thursday (except during school and public holidays) at St Leonards Community Space, 3/1377 Murradoc Road (on Blanche Street), St Leonards at 1pm and beginner’s lessons are held every Friday at 11am.

For more details, phone Janet on 5216 9255 or email [email protected].