Music dementia charity plans anniversary expansion

A dementia charity which brings live music experiences to people living with dementia and other neurological conditions is marking its 25th anniversary.

Lost Chord was established in 1999 in Maltby, Rotherham.

The charity is hoping to extend its reach as part of its anniversary celebrations to 25 new locations across the UK.

Chief executive Jean Collinwood said they hoped this would enable them to respond to the growing demand for their services.

Lost Chord UK was founded by Helena Muller with a vision "to harness the transformative power of music to enhance the quality of life for those facing cognitive challenges".

Ms Muller was inspired after her younger sister, Annette, suffered a brain haemorrhage and she saw how she found solace in the music of her youth.

Lost Chord was designed to provide a programme of classical music and popular hits for people.

The sessions are run by professionally trained musicians in a variety of settings from memory cafes, wellness centres, libraries, and large community events.

They also bring music to care homes and hospices and offer more intimate bedside sessions.

The music sessions are intergenerational and designed to target the needs of individuals with dementia and other neurological conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson’s, brain injury, and motor neurone disease.

Music and interaction are combined to stimulate memories, uplift mood, increase energy levels and promote a zest for life, the charity said.

Ms Collinwood said the sessions often lead to “magical moments” where people, even those who may have been non-verbal or unresponsive for months or years “connect with a song” and activate a lost memory.

Amongst the Lost Chord national patrons are Sir Cliff Richard, whose mother suffered with dementia, and soprano singer Lesley Garrett.

“I had a dear aunt with dementia, a resident at a home in South Yorkshire," Ms Garrett said.

"She didn’t recognise any of us by sight towards the end, but when my mother played one of my CD’s her face always lit up"

Ms Collinwood said: "It’s a huge achievement to still be here after all this time.

"We’ve changed the lives of thousands if not millions of people."

She said the aim to expand to new locations would help meet the high demand for the sessions they offer.

"The expansion is crucial to meet the growing demands of people on our waiting list who are currently without an interactive music service, in Newcastle, Cumbria, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and other locations," she said.