Singing our own songs: Helping people run their own Singing for the Brain sessions

Alzheimer’s Society developed Singing for the Brain to bring people with dementia, carers and relatives together in a stimulating, fun, friendly and safe environment.

It can improve brain activity, wellbeing and mood, even during coronavirus as our virtual service reaches thousands of people by video call or phone. 

‘Music plays a key role in our identity and culture. It has an amazing effect on the mind,’ says Sophie Tucker, our Product Development Officer.

‘Whether it’s listening, singing or moving to the rhythm, each session creates powerful connections between people.’ 

We’re working with partners across the country so they can run Singing for the Brain with more people in all kinds of settings.

Included and enabled 

There aren’t enough Singing for the Brain groups for everyone who wants to enjoy them. There’s also a massive disparity in where they’re run, with none at all in some areas. 

To change this, we’re training individuals and organisations to deliver Singing for the Brain themselves.

Currently online due to the pandemic, our training and resources cover planning, promoting and delivering a session, the impact of music on people affected by dementia, and safeguarding.

We also provide ongoing support after training, with feedback to help maintain high standards. 

‘The service must meet the needs of people affected by dementia,’ says Ann Likeman, a former Singing for the Brain Leader who’s now a Training and Support Volunteer. 

‘Everyone who attends a session should be included, respected and enabled to participate and freely express themselves through music and singing.’ 

Fantastic preparation 

Tiffany Thompson, Lifestyle Lead at Perry Manor in Worcester, recently completed Singing for the Brain training with her colleague Deb Milosavljevich, the care home’s Lifestyle Co-ordinator. 

‘Before the pandemic, we were taking some of our residents out to fantastic Singing for the Brain sessions in the community. But they can’t all get to those, so we jumped at the chance to do the training,’ she says. ‘It means we can widen the range of residents involved, including those at different stages of dementia.’

Tiffany was very impressed with the training, which was held with Sophie and Ann. 

‘It was fantastic – there were good ideas and good practice,’ she says. ‘It was very interactive and we could trial things out. 

‘Sophie was lovely and so bubbly. She’s answered all my questions any time I’ve phoned up!’ 

It was just the preparation Tiffany and Deb needed to deliver their own sessions. They chose to use PowerPoint or YouTube, with lyrics on a big screen. 

‘The residents have really enjoyed it,’ says Tiffany. ‘Even people who I wouldn’t have thought would want to join in. 

‘Even if they can’t get fully involved, some residents will tap along or nod their head. And for those whose mobility isn’t as good, we can adapt it as a one-to-one session in their room.’ 

Singing for the Brain has been especially meaningful for some residents. 

‘One lady heard her wedding song, which reminded her of dancing with her husband,’ says Tiffany. ‘She said it was a memory that she hadn’t had for years.’ 

Pat, a resident at Perry Manor, says, ‘I like to come to these groups – it’s fun and it doesn’t matter if you can sing or not.’ 

‘The group took me back to my younger years and lifted my spirits,’ adds Greta, another resident.

Accessible to all 

We’re keen to train more care home staff who can deliver face-to-face Singing for the Brain sessions for their residents.

We’re also looking for individuals who could run virtual sessions within the community, including for younger people with dementia and people from Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities. 

This work has been boosted by a £28,000 donation from the Utley Foundation, a charitable trust, which will enable 80 Singing for the Brain groups to be set up by partners across the UK.

The foundation supports Music for Dementia, a national campaign to make music freely available to everyone living with dementia, which recently launched m4d Radio, a free online radio station. 

‘We want to make Singing for the Brain accessible to everyone with dementia, no matter where they live, what stage of dementia they’re at or what music tastes they have,’ says Sophie.