This Winter, our production of The Elves and the Shoemaker will pop up in the living rooms, dining rooms and gardens of residential care homes, as well as dementia peer groups, cafes and assisted living environments.

As a registered charity, we've regularly received public funding. However this year, we’ve had an unprecedented number of rejections from funding organisations, which has put the production in jeopardy. We’re looking for the final amount of money that'll enable us to bring this production to people who really need it this Christmas. 

We're looking to raise £2,500 in order for us to tour to 15 care homes in London and the South of England, performing to around 700 residents living with dementia who will be feeling isolated this Christmas. 

There are approximately 441,479 people living in UK care homes, 40% with depression (NHS), largely due to loneliness and isolation. We strongly believe in the transformative power of the arts to increase participants' wellbeing and grow their sense of belonging. 

This is theatre that reflects and connects with our audience; it’s relatable (helps trigger memory), innovative, fresh and exciting - allowing our audience to be entranced by spectacle, see things they may not have seen or expect to see, and be inspired to create.

So whatever you can donate, we would be so grateful. Help bring joy and entertainment to some of country's most isolated and vulnerable people this Christmas!

The Elves and The Shoemaker team have committed to running/walking the distance of London to Exeter, 315km which is the location of our base to our furthest care home show. Artistic Director Laura Harling and The Shoemaker, actor Matthew Seager will each run 100km, while the rest of the team will make up 115km. Every run/walk they do will be documented and they MUST be wearing their Elf hat!

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me and those living and working in care.

More information about The Dot Collective: Providing professional theatre that is accessible to all including those living in care with additional needs and dementia. Bringing communities together in a shared, joyful experience www.thedotcollective.com