£5000 grant is music to the ears of those living with dementia in Watford

November, 2017

A charitable organisation called Music24 has recently received a £5,000 grant from Hertfordshire Community Foundation to help fund fortnightly music therapy sessions for those living with dementia and their carers in the Watford area.

Director of Hertfordshire Community Foundation, Helen Gray, said: “With an ageing population and the number of over 65s with dementia in the county predicted to rise by 24% between 2012 and 2020, support like this will only become more vital in ensuring a good quality of life for those affected. Hertfordshire Community Foundation is delighted to be able to help these already successful sessions to continue and develop.”

Founded and run by qualified and experienced music therapists and musicians, Music24 has been developing and providing music therapy and community music services for over 3 years. Started just over the county border in Luton, over the last year the group has expanded into Hertfordshire with groups in Watford, Stevenage and Hoddesdon. They aim to make access to music therapy affordable and accessible to as many people as possible.

A Music24 spokesperson said: “There is an increasing body of evidence that shows how effective music therapy can be for those with dementia and for those that care for them. Engaging with the music group offers a person living with dementia a new way of exploring their sense of identity and gives them an opportunity for developing new skills within a safe environment. For those who have lost language skills, it provides opportunities for non-verbal communication and interaction with others. For the carer, it offers an opportunity for them to see their loved one taking part in something, enjoying it and feeling included. Sometimes it can surprise them in other ways too, for example seeing differences in the way their loved one responds, or improving their ability to understand what they need.”

Diana, who is a carer for Dave who attends the Watford Musical Herts group said:"Dave has Parkinson’s with dementia. As his full-time carer, my aim is to keep him active and social for as long as possible. It is very hard to find anything that really holds his interest but Musical Herts keeps him fully involved. Dave finds the group really friendly and he is able to relieve stress by banging on a drum. He likes singing and learning new instruments such as the keyboard. He says that he has discovered a musical ability that “he didn’t know he had”. These are the most meaningful words he has used for a long time, so Musical Herts obviously has a far-reaching impact. But the real and regular benefits are that, because it is so welcoming, Dave feels comfortable enough to relax. The drumming allows him to use both hands together which he doesn’t do easily. The singing has also helped him find his voice which is weakened due to the Parkinson’s while the keyboard encourages him to concentrate and, above all, he is able to follow the rhythms and join in with the music.

"As a carer it is hard to explain the exhaustion you feel from the relentless repetition of daily tasks, being woken many times every night and the need to be constantly aware. There is also an underlying sadness and frustration that your own life is on hold. However, at Musical Herts, you benefit from great support from the other carers, the volunteers and of course the group co-ordinators Graeme and Teela, who are so positive and encouraging. You cannot help but be drawn into the music and the group itself. But the best thing of all is seeing the smiles it brings to everyone’s faces – so I would rename it Musical Hearts!"

The “Musical Herts” groups meet fortnightly and sessions can be accessed for free (although those attending are asked to consider a voluntary contribution of £3 per session where possible). For more details please visit http://www.music24.org.uk/musicalherts