Musicians: Arthur Lea (piano, vocals) Nat Keen (guitar, vocals, percussion)
You need three things for a great party: good food, good company and good music. On Friday we had all three in spades. As musicians Nat and Arthur warmed up, so did the Bridgeside BBQ. There was a real sense of anticipation as residents began filling the garden an hour before the festivities were due to start.
Residents Messrs GH and JC looked resplendent in their new colourful and jazzy-patterned shirts and wasted no time in getting involved in the party spirit. The sun was beating down but a gentle breeze took the edge off. The event posters dotted around the home had clearly done their job and everyone was looking forward to a fun-filled Friday afternoon in the sunshine. By the time the music started it would have been quicker to list the residents who weren’t in the garden than those that were. Standing room only!
Arthur and Nat kicked things off at 2pm with The Beatles “Here Comes The Sun” (very apt!) followed by a mix of jazz, soul and blues favourites including original songs they had each written with residents JR and JC.
Resident AS, as is so often the case, was joined by family members of all ages until eventually four generations were sitting together chatting, singing and enjoying the splendid spread.
We were glad to welcome six local GPs and two members of practice and Islington GPs Federation support staff who attended in their own time. They are researching new ways of encouraging and nurturing wellbeing among users of their practices as well as work-place wellbeing for GPs within the Federation. Part of this may eventually include patients attending Spitz garden events under social prescribing.
Dr G, one of our collaborators at the GPs Federation said: “The dream is for community networking to be recognised and valued as part of the work that primary care does in the community.”
Another doctor reflected:
It was an amazing afternoon!! Thanks again for having us. We have a monthly wellbeing community of practice gatherings, which offer us the chance to meet, feel nourished and support each other in our attempts to bring wellbeing more centre stage in our workplaces. The event of Friday was a wonderful space for us to meet while also being inspired by the work The Spitz does, and to start to think about how we can collaborate for future events that will support us, our colleagues and our patients. It offered a wonderful container for conversations, making connections and creativity to flourish 🙂
The atmosphere of the Bridgeside Lodge garden is perfect for escaping the stresses of daily life. Often sunny but with dappled shade from the trees, the flowers (the roses are looking especially wonderful at the moment) and then the sounds – chatter drifting across the canal from the opposite towpath and from the adjacent primary school which has its playground on the roof and of course the sound of the water itself. Lapping against the boats making their way West through the City Road Lock towards Kings Cross and Camden.
With so many residents and their family members present as well as the visiting GPs, Bridgeside Lodge staff and Spitz team members (including our recently appointed Chair of Trustees Dr Sarah Rutherford) the afternoon was ripe for flowing conversation and we had (and overheard) so many interactions throughout.

We overheard a nurse explaining to the family of a newly arrived resident: “His stage name is Big Joe” – in reference to Bridgeside Lodge’s resident songwriter JR – pictured above on the mic. She also told the GPs that his dexterity has improved enormously, demonstrated by his ability to hold a microphone close to his mouth while performing. Something that he was not able to do a year ago. (you can listen to Big Joe’s songs here).
Fatma explained to the visiting GPs her decision to designate the Spitz team as Key Workers during the pandemic, enabling us to continue our work when so many others were unable to visit.
“They enabled the staff and residents to feel joy, and moments of connection that music brings. Our relationship with Spitz feels like family now and it’s always evolving. We’re learning from each other every day.”
When Arthur started up the instantly recognisable intro to Bill Withers’ Lean On Me, manager Fatma made her way to the stage and joined in (saying it was her favourite song), one hand on Arthur’s shoulder, the other holding her plate of BBQ.
This song has, for several years, felt like the perfect reflection of the relationship between The Spitz and Bridgeside Lodge. This moment solidified that for everyone present.
Fatma later thanked us for everything we do at Bridgeside Lodge. “I can’t thank you enough, I don’t thank you enough”. It’s our absolute pleasure and you’re so welcome Fatma.


