It was a new way of performers engaging with people in care within the community and it could be the first of many similar events.

Eastern Daily Press: Cabaret show at Your Choice Social Centre in North Walsham. The Foolhardy Circus entertaining the service users and staff. Picture : ANTONY KELLYCabaret show at Your Choice Social Centre in North Walsham. The Foolhardy Circus entertaining the service users and staff. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Your Choice social centre in Folgate Road, North Walsham put on a free cabaret act.

The centre provides day services for people with physical and mental disabilities, and guests at the event came from residential homes, day services, social care teams, and from the NHS.

Managing director Paul Goldsmith is a professional performer himself.

He said: 'I've always felt that the creative arts can inspire those in receipt of care services. As result, we wanted to create something special that our guests and members would truly remember, and therefore the idea of a cabaret was born.'

Some top quality professional performers from Norfolk were hired and Mr Goldsmith said the reactions of those who attended the day made it all worthwhile.

He added: 'We had members of our centre, who struggle to engage in activity for more than 20 minutes at a time, who stayed with the performers for the duration of the event.

'This made it feel like a success and highlighted again that performance can be truly unlocking for people and inspire them in many ways.

'The performers totally embraced the nature of our audience, allowing them to be involved by singing, dancing, using the instruments and microphones, and it was extremely heart-warming to observe a true coming together of communities.'

One of the performers, Thomas Wilson, was involved in the very first act, Fool Hardy Circus, but stayed on and, as part of Pirate Joe, took part in an impromptu set on the stage.

Mr Goldsmith added: 'For me they highlighted everything that is good about people and performers. They simply felt the need to perform as they were having such a good time, and saw the intention behind the event.

'The day was a wonderful example of equality in practice, everyone was involved and everyone was very happy.

'I aim to provide many similar events in the future to really grow relationships between care providers in Norfolk.'

Are you bringing something new to health and social care in the community? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk