Awareness of the benefits of music for people living with dementia has grown rapidly in recent years, with research and anecdotal evidence demonstrating that active participation in music has a very positive effect on engagement and wellbeing. Work in this field can take place in residential settings such as care homes, in the community, and in healthcare settings. Music-making in these settings can include:

• familiar repertoire – helpful for reminiscence and creating a sense of safety
• improvisation – creating in the moment together, as a means of communication as well as promoting the equality of everyone involved
• musical activities such as singing rounds
• writing songs as a group
• exploring sounds and listening

This is a rewarding area of work, contributing to a culture where people can develop or rekindle musical skills, interests, and connections – even if for a short, but illuminating time. This work requires a sensitive, flexible, and reflective approach, which this workshop will introduce you to.

This course is ideal for you if you are:

• a musician who would like to develop your skills in this field
• a professional or family carer who would like to develop this skillset
• a music facilitator already practising in this or a related field
• a professional in a related field, eg Occupational Therapist, Psychologist
• interested in learning more about how interactive music-making benefits everyone

No formal skill level is required but to gain the most out of this workshop, we would expect you to feel confident in using either your instrument or your voice, in a range of ways, in the session.

More information and online booking at:

https://www.gold.ac.uk/short-courses/community-music-people-living-with-dementia/