Singing supports people with dementia in Stockton
A pioneering music project has successfully gained nearly £14,000 funding from the Santander Foundation to support a year-long project in Stockton which will enrich the lives of those experiencing dementia and their carers by encouraging them to take up singing.
ARC, Stockton Arts Centre, along with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s Integrated Mental Health Service and Stockton Borough Council, developed a six week pilot project to bring music into the lives of those experiencing dementia and their carers. The pilot project proved highly successful with 95% of participants stating that they enjoyed attending and felt it was beneficial. Key findings from the evaluation report of the pilot project indicated that singing in a group combated social isolation and improved confidence.
“I really enjoyed the programme. It gave me the chance to meet and chat to other people with dementia. Also, it was nice to be able to take someone with problems out of the home, to share the company of other people, and away from their daily mundane routine” - Denise Wells, activity coordinator
Following the success of the pilot project, ARC and its partners have successfully secured a grant from the Santander Foundation for £13,861 to run a larger scale, year-long project with those with dementia in Stockton.
Annabel Turpin, ARC’s Chief Executive, said:
“It is exciting and rewarding for the arts to play a major role in helping people with dementia, and their carers enjoy life more. We all know that the ageing population is making dementia a growing challenge for society and we hope this project will have an impact- and help point the way towards improving people’s lives in the future. ARC is committed to working with older people in many ways, and we hope this project will continue to develop and become part of our regular activities.”
Crinne Walsh, Service Development Worker for Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust said:
“It is a pleasure to be part of something which is aiming to help people to live well with a dementia and support carers. The pilot clearly demonstrated the value of people coming into contact with other people in a similar situation for an enjoyable social event. This project fits well with the aims of the National Dementia Strategy and Carers Strategy and this partnership is a positive contribution to the other services we provide. ”
140 local residents will take part in the project over the next year, both at ARC and also in care homes throughout the borough. In addition, a training programme will be established in six care homes, employing a singing tutor to work with staff over the year so that the activity can continue to be a key element of therapy for patients in the future.
ARC will host a group of 20 people in the earlier stages of dementia, accompanied by carers, to try and build on their existing musical interest and abilities and maintain their participation in social activities.
The rest of the participants will be those in the more advanced stages of the illness living in care homes throughout the local area. National research has already concluded that engagement and interaction in singing can provide therapeutic benefits for those with long-term dementia.
Mindfull of Music is a collaborative project between ARC, Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust and Stockton Borough Council and has been partially funded through these organizations and the Santander Foundation. Singing tutoring and development will be led by Rebecca Pedlow. The project will be launched at ARC in September 2010.
