Theatre offers dementia-friendly choir sessions
Getty ImagesPeople living with dementia will soon be offered weekly choir sessions to reap the cognitive benefits of live music and singing together.
The Octagon Theatre, currently located at Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil, Somerset, is launching a dementia-friendly choir starting on 30 January.
The organisers say music can help reduce anxiety and depression, maintain speech and language, and trigger forgotten memories among dementia patients.
The Octagon Memory Choir will be led by trained music specialists, delivered in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and the Alzheimer's Society.
The Octagon Theatre closed in April 2023 to begin a £15m redevelopment, intended to transform it into a flagship cultural hub for Somerset.
In the meantime, creative and community programmes have temporarily moved to Westlands - also run by Yeovil Town Council - to continue without interruption.
The hour-long choir sessions will take place at the centre every Friday from 11:00 to 12:30 GMT, and no singing experience is required to join.
'Growing older population'
Katherine Beverley, arts engagement and outreach manager for The Octagon and Westlands, said the project aims to enhance emotional and cognitive wellbeing, reduce isolation, and offer meaningful respite for carers.
"In Somerset we know that there's a growing population of older people and everyone is living longer and with that comes different health challenges," she said.
"It feels like a really positive move. We're very excited.
"We are looking forward to this next chapter as we introduce our Octagon Memory Choir, bringing people together through music and creating a network of support for people living with dementia, their families and carers."
The project has received funding from Arts Council England, Somerset Council, Norman Family Charitable Trust, and Music for All.
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