Doncaster dementia patients to enjoy singing group thanks to £70,000 grant

More than 200 local people with dementia and their carers will take part in a singing group, thanks to £70,000 grant.

The grant has been given to Doncaster Community Arts, (darts), for their Singing for Memory project, by Yorkshire, West Riding freemasons. The project is intended to provide fun and friendship for the participants and reduce their social isolation.

During group sessions, new songs are created using lyrics given by the participants and everyone’s contribution is valued.

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Assistant Director for darts, Lucy Robertshaw, said: “We’re very grateful to Yorkshire freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to help hundreds of local people with dementia and their carers.

“Singing for Memory has been a big success and we look forward to introducing it to people from all parts of our diverse community.”

The project supports people from across Doncaster who have dementia, and their carers. This includes adults who are at mild to moderate stages of the condition, including those with Young Onset dementia, between 30 and 64 years old.

Everyone is welcome, and darts are keen to encourage black, asian and minority ethnic people to go along. The charity are forming relationships with organisations that serve these communities to try and reach more people.

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People who had partners who attended the groups but have since died are also welcome to continue attending.

Neil Park from Yorkshire, West Riding freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help darts with its excellent Singing for Memory project.

“Services for people with dementia are often lacking, or fail to reach those who need it, especially within ethnic minority communities. darts are doing a lot to make sure their groups are open to everyone.”

There are nearly 2,700 people in Doncaster who are registered as living with dementia, and half as many again are believed to be undiagnosed.

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The sessions start and finish with refreshments and a chance to relax and chat. Evidence from previous projects has shown that these types of sessions are beneficial. After attending previous events, people with dementia have returned home in a noticeably better mood.