Care home comedy clubs' 'terrible jokes' spark giggles for residents

People living in all 25 care homes run by care group brighterkind in England, Scotland and Jersey, took to the stage to share their funniest jokes, stories and impressions for a ‘Laughter & Sunshine’ event, taking place throughout May. 

Even terrible jokes ‘set me off’

Old school jokes such as ‘Knock knock. Who’s there?’ sparked replies like: 

‘Mustache. 

'Mustache who? 

'Mustache you a question, but I’ll shave it for later!’ 

Care home resident Janet Tait, aged 78, said: “Even though some of the jokes were terrible, as soon as other people started to laugh it set me off too. 

“A lovely way to forget old age aches and pains, everyone should try and laugh more.” 

Residents at Ivybank House care home in Bath chuckled as they watched comedy shows like Only Fools and Horses, The Two Ronnies and Faulty Towers. 

Laughter Yoga sessions, visiting comedians and jokes from local schoolchildren are among the activities planned in May to celebrate ‘World Laughter Day’ (1 May). 

Brighterkind’s team of magic moments coordinators are also putting together ‘Happiness Handbooks’ full of residents’ own tips and ideas to bring laughter into their lives. 

Ololade Nadi, manager at Uplands Care Home in Streatham, London said: “After the challenges of the last two years, we decided it was time to celebrate the joy of laughter and the benefits it brings."

Michael Allison, aged 78, said of his care home’s fellow residents: “I really didn’t know we had so many jokers living here. I’ve been laughing all afternoon.”