Happy birthday! Wellingborough Dementia Sings Out choir still hitting the high notes after one year

Members of a Wellingborough choir set up to help those living with dementia have celebrated the group's first anniversary with a socially-distanced sing-a-along.

Dementia Sings Out (DSO) was launched in 2019 by Ruth Bowe in response to watching the BBC One programme Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure.

A side project of Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir, Dementia Sings Out was initially funded by private donations by the singers.

The choir, now a registered charity, has gone from strength to strength attracting funding from individual supporters and more recently from the National Lottery Community Fund to secure its future - and moving its sessions online as Covid-19 hit.

Choir founder Ruth Bowe said: "The first anniversary of the setting up of the DSO has prompted us to re-evaluate the success of this wonderful choir.

"We certainly did not expect when we began in July 2019 to be holding weekly Zoom sessions.

"The fact that we have continued to thrive and provide comfort and support for so many local people living with dementia, and their carers, is testament to so many selfless volunteers.

"As one family carer commented this week ‘we have a video of Dad singing a solo of Unforgettable at one of the sessions, it is a precious memory that the family can keep forever’."

Since the choir went online during lockdown, the regulars have been able to rejoin the weekly singing from the comfort of their own living rooms and care homes.

Members' particular favourites include My Boy Lollipop, Higher and Higher, This Little Light of Mine, Que Sera, Sera, and You are my Sunshine.

Ruth said: "When we began this wonderfully uplifting venture in July 2019 we had no idea that, one year on, we would have gained National Lottery funding, established ourselves as a registered charity and brought so much apparent joy to so many people.

"It is humbling to hear of the light which DSO support has brought to so many who are living with dementia and their carers.

"We had planned a party to rival our Christmas extravaganza with its fancy dress, singing and dancing, cake and tea and though this has to be remote."

Virtual attendances have topped 25 supporters with 12 care homes tuning in as well as ten singers logging in from their own homes joined by family and carers.

Lucy James, DSO supporter, added: "Our feedback suggests that our weekly sessions have allowed a sense of familiarity and continuity with pre-Covid life.

"The advantage of Zoom is that families can join in and see their loved ones from wherever they are in the world.

"We continue to want to reach people who may enjoy and benefit from these sessions, especially at the moment thinking people who are cared for independently at home may feel so isolated."

People living with dementia, their carers and families can join in the Zoom sessions for free every Thursday by contacting the team at [email protected].

When sessions resume, it is hoped that the choir will return to their base in Havelock Street at the Everyday Champions Church.

The free to join choir is for people living with dementia and partners or carers.

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