Good Company receives public sector recognition
NewsNews Story
We were delighted that Good Company, our co-produced creative dementia care programme in Essex, received national recognition by two prestigious public sector awards in 2024/25.
Bronze at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards
Good Company was awarded Bronze in the Transformation in Health & Social Care category. These annual awards celebrate the most innovative practice in transforming local public services — recognising the passion and resilience of those who embrace financial pressures to deliver excellence.
Highly Commended at the MJ Achievement Awards
Described as the “Oscars of local government,” the MJ Awards honour those who dedicate themselves to supporting communities through adversity. Good Company was highly commended in the Transforming Lives category, acknowledging its impact on the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.
There’s been a big change. You see it when she walks in here – the smile on her face, cos she knows we’re coming. So much life.
~ Project participant
About Good Company
Good Company is a long-term partnership between Orchestras Live, Sinfonia Viva, Age Exchange, Green Candle Dance, Brentwood Theatre, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council, and the Alzheimer’s Society.
This partnership between artistic organisations and key, local support services, has offered an innovative solution to closing the health inequality gap for those in the community living with dementia. It was designed to be a prevention and early intervention programme to prolong independent living.
The project itself reimagined day care through immersive weekly creative sessions — blending music, dance, reminiscence arts and co-creation to support wellbeing, identity and connection. The artistic practice focused on the individual participants and their specific needs, with the aim of nurturing a creative company where everyone was valued and included.
Participants, referred by the Alzheimer’s Society, attended eight-week blocks at Brentwood Theatre and The Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh, where they explored creative expression in a safe, supportive space. The programme also identified and nurtured local artistic talent, with assistant music leaders taking full leadership of the music dimension from autumn 2024.
Impact and feedback
Evaluated by the University of Essex and Orchestras Live, Good Company has shown measurable outcomes for participants including:
- Increased confidence, self-belief and independence
- Strengthened relationships between carers and those they care for
- Improved mood and wellbeing through creative engagement
- Development of empathetic artistic practice among workshop leaders
Alan actually sang ‘Abie my boy’ and got a round of applause. I didn’t know he knew the words… singing to strangers was the last thing he would ever do.
~ Margaret, partner of Alan
Looking ahead
Good Company continues to flourish through Good Company Grads, a legacy project delivered by Dance Network Association and led by local artists. The weekly programme provides mutual support amongst participants whilst encouraging ongoing engagement with the arts and personal development.
The learnings from Good Company are also informing future creative health work. We’re delighted to see this collaborative model of creative care recognised at national level — and we remain committed to embedding inclusive, arts-led approaches across communities to help transform lives.
