ASPIRING singers living with dementia across Evesham are being sought to come together and form the town’s first ever dementia choir as part of a project dreamed up by an Evesham councillor and professional choir leader.
Vale councillor Gerry O’Donnell has teamed up professional vocal coach Clare Fowler in a bid to launch ‘The Evesham Dementia Choir’ and help those living with the illness and their carers to find their voices.
The pair hope to attract support from the local community for the latest venture in the fight to support those experiencing the illness alongside the continued efforts of the town’s thriving Evesham Dementia Action Alliance.
Coun O’Donnell told the Observer: “Singing in a choir or a music group is not only a great social activity and fabulous fun, it is also really good for your physical and mental well-being.
“Furthermore, the act of singing in a group has a positive effect on mental health and well being as a result of the release of positive endorphins and hormones into the blood stream.”
The pair highlighted the benefits for those living with dementia which include an improvement of mood and well-being and the ability to vocally express their emotions.
“Sessions can help to stimulate immediate, here-and-now communication while singing can help to improve a participant’s perception, awareness and understanding,” Clare said.
“Singing groups promote social interaction and support social inclusiveness, as they encourage the participation of everyone, so there is support from other people living with dementia as well as their carers.”
The ambitious pair hope their proposals will help create a sense of organisation and structure with regular meetings at the same time and venue, with the same group of people and even stimulate memories and emotions from many years ago.
“The idea is to build upon what already exists, and develop a singing unit which could perform at local events, and raise awareness about dementia and mental health issues,” Coun O’Donnell added.
The choir is open to anyone living with dementia, carers or those who like the benefits that singing brings.
E-mail Coun O’Donnell on [email protected] or Clare on [email protected] for more information.
Visit www.facebook.com/EveshamDAA for more on the Evesham Dementia Action Alliance.
