People with dementia to have greater access to music thanks to new partnership

The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) and Music for Dementia have joined forces to support four organisations providing musical services to people living with dementia through social prescribing.

Music for Dementia is a national campaign calling for music to be made accessible to everyone with a diagnosis of dementia and for it to become an integral part of care plans.

NASP was established to advance social prescribing. This funding supports their shared objective to support social prescribing activities that promote health and wellbeing at a national and local level.  

The projects receiving funds are: 

• Musica Music and Wellbeing CIC, which offers music workshops across the country for people living with dementia in care settings and online training for carers   

• The Derbyshire Stroke & Neuro Therapy Centre, which also reaches into South Yorkshire and provides a diverse musical programme for its service users 

• Arts and community venue The Seagull Theatre Lowestoft, which is planning to extend its Singing for the Brain Groups into an existing area and one new area, and in doing so attract an additional 40 to 60 families 

• Saffron Hall Trust, which runs a thriving Together in Sound music therapy group in partnership with Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University 

Grace Meadows, Music for Dementia Campaign Director said: 'It is wonderful to be able to work closely with NASP on this project and to be offering our second round of grants this year for musical activities for people with dementia. As an expert grant maker in this field The Utley Foundation, who back the Music for Dementia campaign, have been able to move swiftly to ensure that the money goes into the community where it will benefit individuals and carers directly.  

'We hope this partnership paves the way for further ventures in the future, enabling more people with dementia to access music and enjoy its many benefits through social prescribing.'

James Sanderson, CEO of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, said: 'We know that music is powerful and meaningful for many, whether it’s learning something new or reminiscing over an old song.  

'Supporting meaningful social prescribing activities like this, in communities across the country, allows more people to support the people they work with in a personal way. We are pleased to be able to help fund these activities, to help more people benefit.'

For more information about Music for Dementia click here. 

For more information about the National Academy for Social Prescribing click here.