A NEW singing event has launched in Gillingham, giving people the chance to get out – and put their voice to good use.

Dementia Friendly Gillingham has started Sing-a-Sing of Praise afternoons, an activity for those living with memory loss, dementia, or anyone who feels they would like to come along if they’ve not been out much since lockdown.

Mayor Cllr Barry Von Clemens, also chair of Dementia Friendly Gillingham, attended the first session at The Mellowes Care Home.

He said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to see how many people had come to join care home residents for the ‘wonderful afternoon’.

Cllr Von Clemens also thanked the Mellowes for their hospitality, providing tea and cakes for the many people who came along and packed out the venue.

Annie Kings, from Dementia Friendly Gillingham said: “Knowing how much music and singing can really be good therapy; we have spent a lot of time recently planning something which we hope people will enjoy.

“This can also provide some respite time for their loved ones or carers, if they themselves don’t wish to stay for the session. And because our area includes all the outlying villages we hope this will enable people to come along and enjoy an afternoon out.

“We have done our homework, and we have spoken to those affected by dementia in one form or another, and also people who are fairly isolated due to the conditions over the past few years.

“Some people have lost their confidence about going out, but what we have discovered is that many people love to watch the BBC Songs of Praise.

“So, hopefully we have been able to prepare a programme of those lovely hymns and songs which will be remembered from school assembly days, or possibly when people were able to go to church over the years, but are no longer able to do so, or just simply enjoy singing nice hymns. But we must stress these will not be religious sessions.”

She said they had been delighted that two care facilities have enabled them to set up the sessions – The Mellowes Care Home and Fern Brook Lodge – with the venues rotating hosting every two weeks.

“So please come along and enjoy yourself, no need to book, just turn up,” Annie added.

“We have a great keyboard and piano player, and lots of tambourines and cymbals if you want to join in with it all.”

Sing-a-Song of Praise afternoons will be held twice a month from 2pm to 3.30pm. On the second Friday of each month it will be at The Mellowes Care Home, in Common Mead Lane, and on the fourth Friday of each month at Fern Brook Lodge, off Fern Brook Lane.
For more details, call 01747 837908.