Home Instead Senior Care is hosting a string of musically-inspired events across the country this week, to mark BBC Music Day.
As an official supporter of the day, the home care provider is working collaboratively with the BBC to help bring music to everyone living with dementia in the UK by 2020, using BBC Music Day, which takes place today, as a platform.
Home Instead offices in St Albans and Southampton hosted musical sing-alongs and dancing sessions at dementia and memory cafes yesterday.
And today, branches in Southport, London, Hertfordshire and Sutton Coldfield will host signing sessions and events where people with dementia can share musical memories.
The celebrations will continue tomorrow in Chichester and Bognor Regis, where a music and memories social event will offer fun and support for those in later life, and respite to carers and families.
Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care UK, said: “We’re proud to be one of around 70 organisations supporting BBC Music Day.
“We
know from our own research and a campaign we ran called ‘Songs To Remember’ that
music has an astounding effect on people with dementia – not only does it help
them reminisce and recall happy memories but we’ve seen cases where it’s helped
people to come out of their shell completely and start talking again.
“It’s fantastic to see our
offices arranging choirs, singing events and other musical activities to bring
this joy and happiness to people with dementia.”
Last week, Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules (pictured) joined the Home Instead singing group in Chichester for a singalong.
He said: “It’s fantastic to see Home Instead Senior Care embrace music in this way to help bring joy and happiness to the lives of older people. It’s clear to see that music in all forms is so powerful and makes such a difference. This event, in conjunction with BBC Music Day, is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, at Home Instead Sutton Coldfield, the group are looking forward to welcoming 70’s guitarist Gordon Giltrap as a special guest at its event on BBC Music Day.