POP-up music cafes are coming to town.

A new partnership between Music in Hospitals & Care (MiHC) and Age UK branches across the North of England will bring regular live music concerts to Ellesmere Port from this month.

The outreach live music concerts have proved popular with older people, and are an effective way of reaching out to people who may have become isolated and lonely, including those living within our communities with dementia or other health issues.

This three-year project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and will be launched with an inaugural concert to be held at Hollymere Extra Care Housing in Ellesmere Port on Wednesday, March 27.

This project is open to anyone over 50 who will benefit from participating in a fun and welcoming cultural and social event. MiHC professional musicians will provide an exciting and varied programme of regular concerts, so there will be something for everyone!

Jess Ingham, Director North of MiHC, said: “Our musicians are carefully chosen by audition to ensure that they not only demonstrate great musicianship, but they also have the ability to connect and engage with people. Our aim is to create joy through live music, to raise mood, boost feelings of wellbeing and to bring people together for a high-quality musical experience.

"At Music in Hospitals & Care, we are continually developing and building our programme of therapeutic concerts throughout the UK.

"This is a great opportunity to tackle loneliness by providing regular music events for local communities. We are delighted to be working closely with a number of Age UK centres in the North of England to achieve this. ”

Sean Ray, social activities officer, added: "Age UK Cheshire’s OPEL Group meets each week at the Hollymere Extra Care Housing centre, to enjoy companionship, a 2-course meal and a wide variety of activities. We are very happy to welcome the Music in Hospital & Care concerts to Hollymere. This will add another fun, social activity session to our programme, further helping those who take part to enjoy later life. I am sure the concerts will help to increase wellbeing and reduce isolation for our visitors, including our customers living with dementia.”

Anyone interested in coming along to any of the concerts can call Age UK Cheshire on 0845 618 2858 for more information.