New Croydon singing group for dementia sufferers

12:30pm Sunday 8th July 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

Lady Mayoress Liz Wootton opened the group

A new singing group for dementia sufferers has been launched by the Alzheimer's Society.

Singing for the Brain Croydon is one of three groups being funded by the Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation, and was officially opened by the Lady Mayoress Liz Wootton, last Friday.

The group, aimed at the 3,400 people living with dementia in Croydon, consists of twelve weekly sessions for people with dementia to attend with their carers.

The programme was developed by music specialists to specifically help people with dementia to sustain mental and psychological well-being.

This is achieved through stimulating and challenging singing and gentle psychical activity.

Mashhmood Ahmed, Alzheimer's Society Support Services Manager in Croydon, said: "Singing for the Brain provides an opportunity to build friendships, gain support and share experiences with people who understand the issues surrounding living with memory problems and dementia.

"I have seen people who are barely able to speak, be transformed by the music, singing along to tunes from their past as if their old memories are suddenly unlocked."

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New singing group for dementia sufferers