MIND SONG
Mindsong is a musical social inclusion project run by Three Choirs Plus, the outreach arm of the Festival. Elderly people with dementia (mainly Alzheimer’s disease) across the county of Gloucestershire have been targeted. There is growing awareness of the value of music therapy in this group; participation in various musical experiences, either active (eg playing an instrument like a tambourine or singing) or passive (listening to music), may improve well-being and independence. Using the resources of the music therapy charity Gloucestershire Music Space we have taken music therapy to residential/day centres dealing with this client group. This pilot project started in late February and sessions were completed by the end of May.
Volunteer singers received training to assist the qualified therapist. Preliminary workshops at each of the centres enabled carer staff to share ownership of the project, understanding its purpose and receiving training.
Three centres in Gloucestershire, nursing homes in Gloucester and Cirencester and an NHS day centre in the Forest of Dean, took part. Twelve weekly intervals, lasting one hour, took place at each venue. Ten or more clients attended each session. Over thirty individuals have benefited from this programme.
An exhibition providing an audiovisual celebration and record of the mindsong project will be open to visitors during Festival week:
4 – 12 August daily from 10.00am – 5.00pm
(Sundays 11.00am – 3.00pm).
Entrance via Cathedral Coffee Shop.
To facilitate their access, disabled visitors are requested to ring 01452 529819 or email info.gloucester@3choirs.org in advance.
The success of pilot project has resulted in funding for further music therapy courses at another four centres across the county being guaranteed. At least two of the centres taking part are likely to purchase this service themselves on a regular basis. We are also looking to set up singing groups using our volunteers.
It is hoped that visiting musicians and festival goers may also be encouraged to undertake similar work elsewhere.
