A north Dorset charity has switched its music sessions for people with dementia online to try and help lift spirits during the pandemic.

Mindful supports those living with dementia or memory loss in north Dorset. Until covid, they held group café meetings in Gillingham and Stalbridge, where volunteers would arrange a variety of entertainment, particularly music.

Trustee Peter Fineman said: “Music is generally very popular with people who are living with dementia, particularly in the early stages, when it can be very therapeutic.”

“However, in view of the lockdown, we have had to cancel these meetings. We still maintain contact by phone, via email and our online activity groups using Zoom. For example, we are currently running weekly online Mindful cafes and men’s activity groups. But music is more difficult: Covid prevents us having any communal singing.”

“So instead, I have started to sing and also organise musical quizzes for those we support on Zoom. This has led to a further idea: creating private Mindful sing-songs for people in their own home. They choose their favourite songs; I then record them accompanied on piano; this is then emailed, with song sheets with the words.”

For information call Barbara on 07910 663 392 or email enquiries.mindful@gmail.com. Go to mindfulmemorycafes.com for more.

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