Memory Friendship Group Celebrates Funding Boost for Dementia-Friendly Singing Sessions

Bless Community Support, a dedicated organisation supporting individuals living with dementia, has been awarded funding from the Power of Music Fund to enhance its therapeutic music and singing sessions.

Julie, the founder of Bless Community Support, expressed her delight at the funding news: “We’re delighted that The Power of Music Fund has supported our work in this way. We love to see group attendees benefit through music and singing each week, and we’re sure that this grant will go a long way to further supporting what we do at this special group.”

The Power of Music Fund, managed by the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), was established with an initial £1 million donation from The Utley Foundation. It is further supported by Arts Council England, Music for All, and contributions from the public. The fund aims to advance the recommendations of the 2022 Power of Music Report, which highlighted music’s profound benefits for health and wellbeing, particularly for individuals living with dementia.

Charlotte Osborn-Forde, CEO at NASP, commented: “We’re thrilled to have awarded Bless Community Support this funding as part of the Power of Music’s mission to deliver funds to grassroots projects as part of social prescribing, especially in parts of the country where the need is greatest. The money can cover basic costs such as room hire and travel, but more importantly, it will provide support for people living with dementia and their families, improving their physical and mental wellbeing and creating moments of joy and connection through music.”

The Power of Music Fund aims to support grassroots organizations like Bless Community Support by not only funding their activities but also improving their connections with healthcare providers. This initiative will enable people with dementia and their carers to benefit from ‘socially prescribed’ music projects, integrating music more deeply into dementia care.

For the past decade, The Utley Foundation has been a strong advocate for incorporating music into dementia care through its Music for Dementia campaign. This funding marks another significant step in their mission to make music a core component of dementia care.

Bless Community Support is enthusiastic about the positive impact this funding will have on their weekly group sessions, helping to create a supportive and joyful environment for those living with dementia through the power of music.

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