A music and dementia charity is launching a month of Musical Tea celebrations to raise awareness of the power of personal music for people living with dementia.
From Bananarama Bread to Bread Sheeran and The Rolling Scones, musical baking puns are on the menu next month as Playlist for Life launches its nationwide Musical Tea campaign.
Hosting a Musical Tea is a fun way to bring people together for tea and cake to share music and memories and raise awareness of Playlist for Life.
The charity is encouraging families and friends, community groups, care homes, hospitals and businesses to host a fun and safe event and have produced a Musical Tea pack with top tips and resources.
Playlist for Life was founded in 2013 by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson to ensure that everyone living with dementia has a playlist of personal music and that everyone who cares for them to know how to use it effectively.
The charity’s work is based on more than two decades of research showing that specific tunes attached to someone’s emotions that spark memories can help those living with dementia by alleviating stress, managing symptoms and strengthening relationships with family members and carers.
Mark Costello, Playlist for Life local organiser for Cumbria, said: “Hosting a Musical Tea is a great way to raise awareness of the power of personal music for people living with dementia.
“We are encouraging anyone and everyone to get involved and host their own Musical Teas, to bring people together for a bit chat about the power of music. Listening to our favourite tunes can help bring back happy memories and bring us closer together. After the past couple of years, a Musical Tea is a great excuse to get together, have some fun, and connect through music.”
Local businesses are also being encouraged to run a Musical Tea and fundraise for Playlist for Life. Any donations collected will help Playlist for Life to continue to provide free resources and support to those affected by dementia.
Sign up for a free pack at www.playlistforlife.org.uk/musical-tea
Mark is currently running a 12-month project in Cumbria, inviting community groups and organisations supporting people affected by dementia to join the Playlist for Life Help Point network. Organisations who register as Help Points receive free resources and training from the charity to share the power of personal music with the people they support locally.
Anyone interested in becoming a community Help Point or volunteering can email Mark at [email protected]
