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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.
Alison
saysBrilliant program. You can feel like the only family dealing with dementure. My dad's always loved music and still does.
Andrew Thomas
saysBrilliant programme
Congratulations to Vicky for her superb production.
Karen
saysWould love to be a part of this Chorus. I know singing makes a wonderful difference to all those suffering from Dementia. I spend as much time as possible with my 1st Husband often singing to him, to see the smile on his face says it all!!!
Brenda Davis-Bates
saysWonderful programme. So emotional and thought provoking. My late mom passed away last year with Alzheimers, and I really feel for those who are going through this cruel disease - both sufferers and carers. Thankyou to Vicky McClure for such an uplifting yet heartbreaking programme.
June Stewart
saysI thought the program was brilliant , gardening ,singing looking at photos anything people have enjoyed in their past does help , I look forward to seeing the next program next week.
Wendy Cain
saysI thought the tv program was wonderful. My busband has dementia and struggles some days but when he has his music on it makes such a difference. Will there be other choirs like this in other parts of the country. It would be great if there was one in Birmingham.
Pat Bentley
saysTruly amazing and moving programme which shows the power of music for those with dementia as well as showing that everyone living with dementia is an individual and a person first.
Sally
saysBrilliant and heart breaking on 💔
Bridget
saysAmazing to show people there is life whilst having dementia,the joy you saw on their faces brought me to tears, my Mum had vascular dementia it was a very difficult time for her loved ones as she was profoundly Deaf and a sign language user so no stimulation through sound , but she was a clown through the 7 years and loved making us laugh ,strangely enough pretending to be an opera singer obviously no words just lovely sounds at the top of her voice and indeed the actions .xx