Bassetlaw District Council awards grant of £600 to Singing with Dementia group to support its monthly meet-ups
We often cover the cutting-edge research and technology being developed to help people who are living with dementia. But some very effective interventions are quite simple – and inexpensive.
Photo courtesy of Bassetlaw District Council
For example, Bassetlaw District Council has just awarded a grant of £600 to the Singing with Dementia Group, which meets for two hours, usually at 2pm on the last Wednesday of every month at Crossing Church & Centre in Worksop. The money will be used to cover the costs of professional singers who perform at these sessions and to buy a new stand for the group’s TV set.
The singing group was established in 2019 and has a regular attendance of between 30 and 40 people, who are encouraged to sing and clap along to the guest performers. They can also play percussion instruments. There’s a tea break so that everyone can socialise, and sessions finish around 3:45pm, often with people still singing and clapping as they leave. The next session will be held on February 26, 2025.
Each Bassetlaw District councillor is allocated a small budget which they can use to support that benefit the community within their respective electoral ward areas. Councillors consider grant applications for such things as sport, or activities related to culture and heritage, the environment and sustainability, and social welfare. In this case, the Singing with Dementia Group has been supported by a number of different ward members at once, given the recognised need for and effectiveness of its work.
Jean Roberts, Group Leader of the Singing with Dementia Group, says: ‘The money will help towards keeping the group going, allowing it to fulfil a need in the community and give the attendees a little bit of happiness through music and songs. I can’t thank the councillors enough for their kind donation.’
Cllr Schuller, Ward Member for Harworth, adds: ‘Dementia levels in Bassetlaw are currently higher than the East Midlands average, meaning services such as the Singing in Dementia service is an essential part of our communities. Dementia affects every aspect of a person’s life as well as having a severe impact on their family members. Being able to come along to a group such as this allows people to have much needed social interaction reducing the isolation often experienced, improving their lives.
‘During our visit a family shared their very positive experience of their dad who had been non-verbal, but the group had provided him with a voice, joining in singing. The happy memories will live with them moving forward.’
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