Sounding good in South Shields

RESIDENTS living with dementia have teamed up with artists and volunteers in a project exploring the impact of music on wellbeing.

The weekly sessions at Roseway House in Jarrow, South Shields, have been led by Equal Arts’ musician Meg Middleton and older, active volunteers from the area.

With the support of Executive Care staff, residents and their families the project has seen residents living with dementia engaged with singing and playing a range of percussive instruments.

Meg said: “We started working at Roseway House teaching staff members the ukulele. Each week we’ve then been going in for inclusive singing sessions with residents their family members and our volunteer group the Sandtimers.

“It’s been a great source of enjoyment and benefit to all involved and over the next year we’ll be continuing our work with Roseway creating a CD and songbook significant to residents staff can use.”

It’s the second time Executive Care has worked with Equal Arts after it played a part in the charity’s Dementia and Imagination research project.

Working with Newcastle University the ongoing study explores the impact of visual arts on the wellbeing of people living with dementia.

Home manager Trudi Hunter, said: “The sessions have encouraged us to approach a modern and effective way of delivering care to our residents with dementia.

It has also made us confident delivering similar sessions, we feel that we are at the forefront of dementia care and providing the best possible quality of life to our residents.

“The residents really enjoy the music activities too, it gives them an opportunity to express themselves and even a chance to tap into deep, happy memories. You can see some of our residents relax during the sessions, as well as some increased connectivity.

It is certainly a rewarding exercise for everyone involved.”

To find out more about bringing Equal Arts’ sessions to your care home email information@equalarts.org.uk