Real stories

‘Pure escapism’: how singing together benefits the wellbeing of people affected by dementia

Living with dementia or caring for a person with a diagnosis can be profoundly isolating.

Finding a regular activity that you enjoy has the potential to be transformative, helping you feel more connected and content.

Offering people affected by dementia a window of escapism is what the Wales-based charity Forget-me-not Chorus is all about.

Through a range of singing activities, including community choirs, it focuses on enriching people’s lives, explains Katherine Harri, Director of Development and Communications.

‘We believe passionately in the power of song to support families living with and alongside dementia.’ she explains.

For a few hours, dementia takes a back seat, people connect, find support and friendship, and build new memories among others who understand.

How Forget-me-not Chorus began

Back in 2011, Forget-me-not Chorus was a pilot project in Cardiff, created through a partnership between Alzheimer’s Society and Welsh National Opera.

Offering free, accessible and welcoming singing sessions proved to be a big hit.

In fact, such was the impact on the 40 plus attendees, it felt too precious to wind down the sessions after the pilot ended, says Katherine.

‘The project leads felt they couldn’t leave the project there – there was an obvious need and huge enthusiasm for it.’

Forget-me-not Chorus officially registered as a charity in 2013 and has continued to grow and flourish ever since.

‘It is wonderful to see how a small pilot project has been developed into an organisation that now supports hundreds of people living with and alongside dementia,’ says Helen Cook, Young Onset Dementia Adviser for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru in Cardiff and the Vale.

Making singing accessible for everyone

Accessibility is key to the Forget-me-not Chorus formula.

You don’t need a referral to attend its regular in-person community singing sessions.

They’re free and open to anyone living with any type of dementia, and their family and friends. You don’t even need any singing experience and everyone attending is called a ‘chorister’.

They still run in Cardiff, where the charity is based. They’re also now in several other locations in Wales, including Newport, as well as St Austell in Cornwall.

Each two-hour session begins with a gentle warm-up, then songs are taught by ear by music professionals, who are supported by local volunteers called ‘singing buddies’.

Everyone is encouraged to go their own pace and taking time out to chat is a priority. This means sessions can be an opportunity to form friendships and find support.

‘We’ve developed quite a special way of working,’ says Katherine.

‘Everybody participates as equals, away from the pressure of medical appointments and care routines within a really safe and understanding space.

This is a shared activity where the labels of “carer” or “person with dementia” are left at the door.

The power of singing together

It’s an opportunity to escape into song, say the choristers.

‘Our rehearsal space is a chance for us all to be ourselves, have fun and enjoy the world of music and song without any mention of hospitals, doctors or dementia.’

Another describes it as escapism. ‘No matter how many hurdles I have to manoeuvre my way through, it is always worth it once my mum and I are there.’ 

We are in the moment. No pressure, just singing.

Forget-me-not Chorus works hard to remove the barriers that get in the way of people enjoying the benefits of singing.

Online sessions and free pre-recorded resources are available for those unable to attend in-person choirs.

‘We are also currently running a daytime project in Cardiff and the Vale called Clocks Change,’ adds Katherine.

The charity has also designed singing services for care homes and hospitals, working across two university health board regions in Wales.

‘Our feedback and evaluation show that these services are really powerful in creating a sense of community within care and hospital settings.’

Dementia-friendly activities are vital

Although the charity has bold ambitions to grow and evolve – it’s on the cusp of starting new sessions in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire – staying rooted in its communities is important.

Alzheimer’s Society continues to be involved, explains Helen.

‘In spring 2025, alongside Forget-me-not Chorus, we collaborated with the NHS to run a 12-week project for people living with young-onset dementia and their families in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan.

‘Forget-me-not Chorus also ran a special session at the one-year anniversary celebration of the Society’s Sporting Memories group at Cardiff Rugby, which was a huge success.’

'With so much to celebrate from the past decade, it’s impossible to narrow down the highlights,' adds Katherine.

‘For me, I think it’s the fact that we’ve grown, but we’re still a small energetic team that feels connected to all our choristers that’s so special.’