Residents, staff and volunteers from across not for profit social care provider HICA Group came together last week for HICA’s Got Talent. The special talent show event celebrates the creativity and community spirit that runs through the organisation’s care homes.
Held at the Freedom Centre in Hull last week, the talent show featured 12 acts made up of residents, staff, a family member and a young volunteer performer.
Among the highlights was a moving performance of We’ll Meet Again by a resident marking her 74th wedding anniversary, accompanied by a staff member, and a flute recital from 16-year-old care support volunteer Nelisha Fernando from Overton House in Cottingham, who performed a selection of her favourite pieces.
The event was part of HICA’s ongoing commitment to promote creativity, wellbeing and inclusion across its services. It brought together homes from across the region, with residents and teams travelling from as far as Louth and Bridlington to take part. Many spent weeks rehearsing their routines and creating costumes, with staff helping to plan choreography, props and stage lighting.
The show was organised by the organisation’s SHINE Committee entirely through their fundraising efforts.
Overton House Front of House Manager and SHINE Committee member Debbie Hodgson said the event was a brilliant celebration of creativity across the organisation: “Events like this help build confidence, strengthen friendships and show just how much talent there is across our homes. It was wonderful to see residents and colleagues supporting one another and enjoying the atmosphere. The sense of pride was incredible – many of our performers had been practising for weeks and you could see how much it meant to them when the audience applauded.
“These moments really capture what life in our homes is about – laughter, shared experiences and the chance for everyone to shine in their own way.”
Other performances included a lively dance battle, a comedy clown act and an uplifting routine from HICA’s training team, who combined singing with Makaton sign language.
One resident who took part added: “Everyone put their heart into their acts – there was laughter, music and even a few tears. It really brought us all together.”