ICA are thrilled to announce that we have received a £2,500 grant towards our dementia friendly Forget-Me-Not Songsters group from the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest fund.

Anna Eveleigh, the group’s tutor, writes…

Massive thanks to Hall & Woodhouse. The Forget-Me-Not members are very enthusiastic about our sessions and are delighted we’ll be able to continue thanks to their generosity.

Since Vicky McClure’s programme about the Dementia Choir, people are much more aware of the benefits of singing for people with memory problems. Many of our members don’t have memory problems but benefit from the group anyway.

Our members tell us that the sessions are an important social occasion – just chatting over tea and coffee is an important part of the morning. Because it’s a very mixed group, it’s good to see people with and without dementia sitting around the table and talking together.

Some of our members wouldn’t usually sing in public, but love the singing anyway, “Everyone’s encouraged because it’s all about singing together. So, if you can’t hold a tune but like to sing, this is the group for you!” said one member.

“You always feel good afterwards,” added another. “Sometimes I can’t get those tunes out of my head!”

Our activities are based on singing and rhythm, which is great for stimulating the brain, and can even help to get the body moving. We sing all sorts of songs, and even learn new ones! No worries if you don’t know the words or don’t like solos. The group is all about singing together, in good company, with lots of laughter. It’s also amazing to hear the memories and stories that the songs bring to mind.

NB: The group runs every other Wednesday. Sessions for November 2019 are on the 6th and 20th, 10.00-11.30am, at the C2000 Hall, Easton. The first is session free. After this it’s £4 per session, including refreshments.

Read the full Dorset Echo’s article here: http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/18004287.hall-woodhouse-2019-community-chest-winners