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MUSIC CARES

Dementia-Friendly & Wellbeing

Across the Midlands, an estimated 141,146 people are living with dementia (NHS, 2024). Music Cares is the overarching title for our music-led workshops for the Midlands older community, placing a particular focus on individuals living independently with dementia alongside their families and carers.  All activities are free, funded through annual funding applications by the Swan to multiple Trusts & Foundations, and delivered in regional care homes (since 2014), and at our pioneering community dementia cafés (Café Muse) in Hereford and Stratford upon Avon, operational since 2021.  

With the support of music therapy charity Mindsong, 27 of our players are trained to deliver this specialised activity.

“Music has such a powerful role in supporting people at whatever stage of their dementia journey. It is such an amazing experience to see people come alive with the music; join in, tap their feet, sing along and really get involved with the sessions. We are so pleased to be able to bring our professional musicians to these homes & cafés and know that our players are gaining a great deal from the experience too.” Swan Player Feedback
Swan Player Feedback

The ‘Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing’ report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group concluded the Arts can:

  • improve mental health and wellbeing (both as a preventative measure and in supporting recovery);
  • promote healthy ageing including falls prevention;
  • reduce health inequalities;
  • create opportunities for developing social support & shared experiences which is key to supporting patients and carers;
  • lead to improvements in quality of life, cognition, communication (particularly in group settings) and mood of people living with dementia.
Cafe Muse Stratford
Flautist Diane Clarke and a participant from Stratford Café Muse

Activities during our workshop sessions therefore help to slow the decline in cognitive function and reduce social isolation, whilst offering peer support for carers and family members.  Sessions help to preserve a positive self-image, to deal with the uncertainty that dementia brings, and to develop and maintain good contacts with family and friends.

Find out more below, or for more information call 01926 350028 or email education@orchestraoftheswan.org

“Music has such a powerful role in supporting people at whatever stage of their dementia journey. It is such an amazing experience to see people come alive with the music; join in, tap their feet, sing along and really get involved with the sessions.
We are so pleased to be able to bring our professional musicians to these homes & cafés and know that our players are gaining a great deal from the experience too.”

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