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Mindsong

Location: Outreach : Mindsong

Mindsong

 

 

  • taking music therapy to people with dementia in Gloucestershire 

  • mindsong uses registered music therapists to work with groups of dementia sufferers in care homes across the county.
mindsong
  
As part of Three Choirs Plus, developing a sustainable service is key to the mindsong charity. We train volunteers to provide valued support for both therapist and participants.
By the end of 2008 mindsong had worked with over 75 people with dementia, at seven venues. In 2009 we shall:
  •  deliver music therapy to new homes as well as to established venues
  • start singing groups linking dementia sufferers and carers in the community with those in care homes
  • provide training for care home staff

More about mindsong

mindsong is the social inclusion strand of Three Choirs Plus, the community and outreach arm of the Three Choirs Festival, which currently takes music therapy to people with dementia across Gloucestershire.

The Alzheimer’s Society has reported that there are at least 700,000 people with dementia in the UK and that this figure will exceed one million by 2025. In Gloucestershire there are at least eight to ten thousand dementia sufferers at present. Two thirds live in the community and the rest occupy most of the places in care home.

For people with dementia, music therapy can improve quality of life, emotional wellbeing and sense of identity. It may also have a positive effect on memory and health. mindsong seeks to deliver music therapy in an affordable way by running group, rather than, individual sessions.

mindsong aims to:

  • provide enjoyment and emotional and psychological benefits to people with dementia
  • provide linkage with the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival
  • raise awareness of the value of music therapy for people with dementia
  • ensure a sustainable legacy for dementia sufferers in Gloucestershire 

All the sessions are led by registered music therapists. They are assisted by volunteers who support the older people taking part. Music is made by the participants themselves, for themselves.


Read published articles about mindsong to learn more;

The mindsong project: music therapy for older people with dementia (Rachel Darnley-Smith 2007)

mindsong: festival outreach to people with dementia (Anthea Holland and Jane Crampton. Journal of Dementia Care 1 2009)

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