Bringing Record Store Day To Social Care

The excitement of Record Store Day was brought directly to social care services across the nation, as our charity teamed up with The Darkness singer Justin Hawkins, rising music stars The Daydreamers, and one of the UK’s coolest record stores, Jacaranda.

The charity – its acclaimed hub offering free, accessible and inspiring live online experiences for people who draw on care and support.

The powerful online experience, delivered via our acclaimed www.What-To-Do.co.uk platform, was inspired by Record Store Day – a major global celebration of the unique culture of record stores and of music. The event made discovering new music accessible, fun and inclusive for people who are often most excluded from culture. Blending performances, quizzes, games and conversation, and powered by music industry stars and professionals, it inspired confidence and furthered people’s understanding of the music industry.

The experience featured an innovative and accessible music quiz, with recorded links from Justin Hawkins – lead singer of the Brit Award‑winning, quadruple‑platinum rock icons, The Darkness. With the chance to win records, merchandise and signed items from artists including Mumford & Sons, Royel Otis, Sam Smith and The Kooks, the quiz not only enabled guests to share their musical memories and knowledge but also gave them the chance to connect with some of today’s biggest artists.

The session was supported by Riley, lead singer of The Daydreamers, ahead of their 2026 debut album release. Participants were treated to live performances from an artist who has achieved more than 20 million streams on Spotify and major rotation on outlets such as Radio 1 – with inspired audiences from more than 30 care services nationwide across the UK clamouring for an encore. Riley also powerfully supported the audience to understand what goes into making a record.

The experience also enabled participants to connect with both 2026’s hottest emerging artists and record store culture.

Graham Stanley, Managing Director of Jacaranda – the iconic Liverpool‑based record store that has recently hosted album launches and performances for artists including Olivia Dean, Mika, Stereophonics and Wolf Alice – delivered an interactive conversation on how record stores can be inclusive, exciting and inspiring spaces.

A unique, interactive ‘hit, miss or maybe’ activity introduced an accessible format for people to express their musical tastes and discover some of 2026’s most hotly tipped acts, as they reviewed tracks from artists including Chloe Qisha, Royel Otis, Holly Humberstone, Sombr and Raye.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities, said: “Through Community Integrated Care’s Best Lives Possible mission, we are absolutely committed to overcoming the barriers to our communities accessing and shaping culture.”

“This Record Store Day-inspired experience made it easier for people who draw on care and support to explore contemporary music and record store culture in a way that was fun, inclusive and genuinely empowering. It enabled people to express their own voice and build confidence to explore new forms of music and communities – delivering real outcomes through innovative social care.”

“We’re hugely grateful to Jacaranda, and to Riley from The Daydreamers, whose fans helped make this event possible after the band hosted a special fundraising event for our charity.”

Riley said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Community Integrated Care on www.What-To-Do.co.uk. This community brings so much so meaningful experience to everyone involved. Bringing a bit of joy to people’s life, is why you make music in the first place, so this experience meant everything to me. I loved being a part of it.”

Graham Stanley, Managing Director of Jacaranda, said: “Record stores are about community, discovery and belonging – and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy them.”

“At Jacaranda, we believe music has a unique power to bring people together. We’ve loved working with our partners at Community Integrated Care to help more people be part of Record Store Day, connect with new music, and feel confident to explore gigs and record stores in the future.”