TV star Vicky McClure invites Notts folks to special Singing for the Brain performance

The event comes ahead of the charity's traditonal group sessions in the county, moving to a virtually led service on Zoom.

On Thursday 30 April, at 3pm, Alzheimer’s Society will broadcast a live national sing-a-long session, that is open to anyone and everyone on its Facebook platform to join in.

From Fly Me to the Moon, to Singin’ in the Rain, the Facebook session will include some fun warm-ups and renditions of old classics, that audiences can join in with from home to experience the power of music together with people living with dementia across the country.

Vicky McClure, whose grandmother had dementia, will join the online session. Also tuning in to sing will be Scouting for Girls' Roy Stride, whose mother had early-onset dementia, and former Emmerdale actor, John Middleton, whose character in the soap had dementia.

People can vote in advance for their favourite songs to be considered for inclusion via a Facebook poll.

Since the coronavirus pandemic has prevented groups from happening face-to-face, Alzheimer’s Society has launched the service online to bring hundreds of people living with dementia together every week to experience the benefits of music together.

Angela O’Neill, Singing for the Brain group leader in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, is sending out invites to her group members to join her first virtual sessions.

She said: “There will be a choice to attend one of three weekly Zoom sessions that I’ll be leading. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again as I know the difference this will make to their time in isolation.

“Singing for the Brain is one of the many services that Alzheimer’s Society offers to people affected by dementia. It brings people living with the condition and their carers together to sing a variety of songs they know and love, with fun vocal exercises that help improve brain activity and increase wellbeing.

“Evidence shows that music can help improve and support mood, alertness and engagement of people with dementia, with research* showing that musical memory is often retained when other memories are lost. Music can help people to recall memories due to the nature of preserved memory for song and music in the brain.”

The Alzheimer’s Society hopes that people will join in to make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia, and ensure they know they aren’t alone.

Vicky McClure said: "People affected by dementia are finding it tough in these surreal times and support provided by Alzheimer’s Society is needed now more than ever before. Music and singing are fantastic activities for people living with dementia, and I am so excited that Alzheimer’s Society is bringing a Singing for the Brain session direct to people across the UK that is open to all.

Anyone wishing to donate to Alzheimer’s Society’s Emergency Appeal, can do so here.