Reaching our initial target will help us get the group started. Any further donations will help the group grow and develop.

There is a growing community of people with dementia being cared for at home. Belonging to a singing group is an activity that can help to address the issue of social isolation, combat loneliness and foster community support. After a dementia diagnosis existing friends often find it difficult to stay in touch. A new friendship group is needed; SongTime sessions can provide that.

The sessions are primarily for people with dementia and their carers/family members, but as long as there's a seat we don't turn anyone away. Sessions are designed to stimulate memory and improve wellbeing and also provide an opportunity for friendship, fun and peer support. They follow a format of gentle chair-based exercise, breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, familiar songs and poems, which leads to songs chosen by the group members from booklets based on that week's theme (eg Colours, Transport, Names, Love etc.).

Singing as part of a group is proven to have positive effects on health and wellbeing for everyone, but particularly for people with dementia; they can continue going to these groups long after other mainstream activities become inaccessible. Singing provides a connection between the emotional and physical and in times of stress can help to alleviate the negative effects of stress e.g. helping lower blood pressure, regulating the heartbeat and opening up airways.