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Our Dementia Choir Sings Again with Vicky McClure on BBC One – how music can help people with dementia
Vicky McClure’s gran was diagnosed with vascular dementia at the age of 75, and lived with the disease until her death in 2015. Inspired by her memory, Line of Duty star Vicky is fronting a moving two-part documentary, Our Dementia Choir Sings Again, starting on Monday 10 October 2022 at 9pm on BBC One .
Back in 2019, Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador Vicky McClure started her search for choir members, bringing together specialists from the fields of medicine, music therapy, and performance.
Now the choir is back, this time performing to an even bigger audience. They’ll be showcasing the power of music by recording a single at the iconic Abbey Road Studios and taking their message to 20,000 at a music festival, with the help of pop star Tom Grennan.
Watch Our Dementia Choir sings again on iPlayer
The series not only highlights the importance of music therapy, but raises awareness of the challenges facing people affected by dementia today. Right now, too many people aren’t getting the support they need, when they need it, which is having a direct and negative impact on the health and quality of life of people affected by dementia.
The power of music for people with dementia
Many people have a special connection to music, and this can be particularly powerful for people with dementia. Evidence suggests music can improve someone's mood, behaviour and wellbeing.
Listening to favourite songs can bring back old memories and feelings. Many people with dementia are still able to enjoy music and to sing even when they start to lose their language abilities.
While the search for a cure continues, we all must work together to support people affected by dementia today so they can live meaningful lives. Music is a wonderful way to do this.
Research shows that musical memory is often retained when other memories are lost; music can help people to recall memories due to the nature of preserved memory for song and music in the brain.
'Being part of this experience and as an Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, I have seen how singing can help people with dementia communicate, improve their mood and leave them feeling good about themselves.'
- Vicky McClure
There are lots of ways for people with dementia to enjoy the power of music. For example, you can buy special radios and music players designed for people who have dementia. Playing music and singing can stimulate conversation and reminiscence for a person affected by dementia.
Singing for the Brain groups
At Alzheimer’s Society we run Singing for the Brain groups up and down the country. They are a great way for people with dementia and their carers to enjoy music and socialise with other people. Singing for the Brain groups celebrate the joy of singing together, like the Dementia Choir in Vicky’s programme.
If you’d like to find a Singing for the Brain group near you, use our dementia directory to see your local groups, as well as other activities and services near you.
Donate today and support people living with dementia
With your support, we can run services such as Singing for the Brain, to help improve the lives of people living with dementia.
This article was first published in May 2019 and updated in October 2022.
Malcolm Godfrey
saysVicky was superb fronting this terrific and inspirational show,so natural ,warm and honest without being patronising like some presenters can be.My wife and I learned so much from this show about the problems sufferers face everyday.It was a truly wonderful show.
Bex Mezzo
saysPlease tell us if the choir continue to meet and sing? Also I'm involved with the DAA and Sleaford Dementia Support and we heard nothing about this until TV advertising began, why?
Sue Lawford
saysAs a former music teacher, and lover of music in many genres, I know how music can restore and soothe. Such s wonderfully heartwarmung and positive initiative. Heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved xx
Maxine Howard- Doyal
saysMy mum as recently passed away from vascular dementia!!..she loved to sing..and she actaully never stopped!!..music always made her smile..this prrogramme was amazing and very touching!!..i literally sobbed whilst watching. X
Gill
saysI was speaking to a lady in the queue in the supermarket who said every minute of the day was precious to her as her husband is in respite care for the day as he has dementia. I asked if she'd seen the programme and she said she had. Rather than making her feel sad she felt touched that others understood what they are going through and also glad that she had had 45 years of happy married life with her husband.
Angie mills
saysFantastic programme was in tears would live to know more
Sue Chaplin
saysGreat programme with such benefits for the choir. I hope they will still meet as a choir as it would be a shame to take such a great thing away now?
Sue Chaplin
saysBrilliant programme but I hope they can carry on singing together now the programme has finished? Would be such a shame not to keep going
laura dossary
saysThank you Vicky for such an emotive, powerful and truly inspirational programme. One of the best show I have watched for a long time. Your nana would be very proud of you and smiling from above
Linda
saysThank you Vicky McClure for showing the power of music and singing for those with dementia and their Carers. But also for raising awareness of all types of dementia like FTD - Frontotemporal Dementia - which are different from Alzheimer’s. Thanks too for showing that dementia not only strikes the elderly but that early onset dementias affect young people too with devastating results for their young families. Thanks to all those involved in the making of this wonderful documentary - sad yes - but uplifting and totally inspirational! Raising awareness is the way forward en route to finding a cure for this cruel disease - and who knows the power of music and singing could well be the key to unlocking the dreadful dementia secret!
Valerie Ahern
saysAmazing show and how wonderful to see so many people taking part, very inspiring - music is the food of life. The dedicated Carers are wonderful, like angels. The south-east London school I work at have written and performed a song 'Here I Am' which is currently being promoted by our local Alzheimer's Society groups - it would be great if it could reach your Latest News page too. The link to our website and the YouTube video is http://www.hurstmere.org.uk/225/news/post/73/harmony-army-studio-fix-ch….
Christine
saysLovely uplifting happy show you are all wonderful winners Thankyou all
Alec Bingham, Secretary
saysSt Andrews Bolton Pipes and Drums is a small mini band of Pipers and Drummers based in Bolton. In the past four years we have travelled and played in many Care, Nursing and Residential homes. In most cases our performances can be free of charge and despite what you might think, a loud instrument, the Residents have enjoyed our brand of Scottish tunes. For more information please contact us.
Sonia Elliott
saysWhat a excellent program. My mother’s in law was diagnosed with Dementia last October.
My father in law is boing a excellent job taken care of her which worries me about them. Wish there was a group on Newcastle area. Because he might be interested in taken part of the experiment, he’s just not interested in trying other groups. I cried from start to finish.
Julie Randell
saysSuch a amazing emotional watch Vicky McClure , such needed research of this horrific disease, only too know how hard it is to watch but your dedication makes is easier to understand , thank you 🙏🏻