Working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, Singing for the Brain brings therapeutic singing sessions, which take place every second Thursday of the month from 2pm – 4pm.  Anyone with any form of dementia and their carers are welcome to come along for tea, cake and lots of chat, singing and laughter. 

The purpose of each session is to:

• Help carers and those suffering from dementia to meet together in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, where they are encouraged to engage with each other.
• Improve neurological pathways.
• Lift or prevent depression through using music that reassures, inspires, surprises, delights and can provide a challenge.
• Help families with dementia have time out and enforce their right to feel part of a society which enjoys artistic and social stimulation.
• Encourage carers and sufferers to be pro-active in networking with others.

We do this by setting up the room giving an area with small tables where people are served tea/coffee and cake at the start of the session.  This encourages conversation and people can also chat to the member of staff from the Alzheimer's Association.  

Across from this area, we set out chairs in semi circles around where the musicians will stand so that everybody has a clear view of the leaders.  Song books are provided, clearly printed, and pages are numbered.  After the first cup of tea, people move across the hall to start singing.  We have musicians who play along and Carol leads the singing which takes place for about 20 minutes.  Then we have a break for another cuppa and more cake followed by 20 more minutes of song.

The songs are all familiar “oldies” and, if you get the urge to get up and dance, then that’s OK with us!  Just come along on the second Thursday of the month at 2pm in the parish centre where you will receive a warm welcome.

Contact Carol Paton on 01246 274179 for more information.