Dementia Support Line
Real stories
We will keep singing: Singing for the Brain online and over the phone
Lorraine King, Singing for the Brain Leader in south-west Wales, shares how we’ve carried on joining in song through lockdown.
I’m a professional musician and 10 years ago I joined the Society as a Singing for the Brain Leader, covering areas from Carmarthen through to Bridgend.
When lockdown started, I began putting videos on YouTube to make sure something was available even though our groups couldn’t sing together in person.
I sing and play guitar in the videos, with instructions for people to join in with songs and movements. My delivery may have been ropey, but the response was amazing!
One woman who’d normally come to Singing for the Brain sits in front of her screen smiling, singing and waving at me. It’s been humbling to hear how much of an impact the videos have had.
Since some people can’t get online, it’s also been a joy for us to sing as a group on the telephone.
One man, who I thought had difficulty communicating, joined in and within minutes was chatting away to another person on the ‘Ring and Sing’. His wife couldn’t believe the difference it made and how much his mood was lifted afterwards.
Things will continue to change in coming months, but I think there’s a place for online sessions even after we get back to face-to-face singing.
More people are embracing technology, getting help to use devices where necessary. This feels like the start of something different, a brand-new world!
In the meantime, we will keep singing, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, online and on the phone.
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ARRON WATERS
saysAnonymous
saysHi Arron,
You can find services in your area here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you.
To find your closest Singing for the Brain service, type in your location and click the 'activities and social groups' option.
We hope this helps.
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Mandy Shortt
saysThank you so much Lorraine!! My lovely friend Joan & I attended our local singing for the brain sessions in Truro & missed them so much during lockdown. What a joy it was finding you on YouTube. We sing along regularly & are so familiar with you & your lovely voice now that not only do we sing along but we join you in your sayings of 'chachacha' & 'umpa-umpa...'... thank you for the difference you've made to is & so many others I'm sure. God Bless you xx
Jane Farmilo
saysMy Mum attended singing for the brain with Lorraine before she needed more care. She absolutely loved going and continues to watch Lorraine on you tube wherever she has been. As carers, if Mum is stressed “putting Lorraine on” works wonders for her mood and agitation Thank you 😊
Linda
saysWe found Lorraine’s YouTube videos during the first lockdown and what a joy for my lady! She chats away to Lorraine and loves the songs - As I’m typing this we are once again gong through the YouTube videos to keep us happy and warm on a cold way! Thank you for bringing such joy! This has been a lifeline during lockdown!