Dementia singing charity awarded £20k to expand

A charity which provides choir sessions for people living with dementia and their carers has been awarded £20,000 to develop the scheme across the country.

Lost Chord, which was set up in 1999 in South Yorkshire, work with professional musicians to offer patients and their families the opportunity to "sing, connect and support one another through live music".

The charity said the funding from the National Lottery Community Fund would support the expansion of its Choir that Cares scheme across Yorkshire, the Lake District, Manchester and London.

Lost Chord UK CEO Jean Collingwood said: "Our ambition is simple — that one day every community could have a Choir that Cares."

The Choir that Cares project started at St Gerard's Church in Thrybergh, and brings carers, people living with dementia, families and neighbours together with live music led by professional musicians.

The charity said the sessions aim to create welcoming spaces where people sing together, share experiences and build lasting support networks.

Collingwood added: "Choir that Cares brings people together through the shared power of live music.

"Carers gain encouragement, friendship and time to breathe, while the people they care for experience joy, confidence and connection.

"We are hearing from families in many parts of the country desperate to can have a Carer choir like this in their local community.

A carer who attends the sessions said: "Through the choir, I've realised that being a carer is not all that I am.

"The support from choir leaders and fellow carers has been a lifeline, reminding me of my worth and giving me something to look forward to."

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