SOCIAL/MUSIC GROUPS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS

OUR STORY

In February 2020, Havering Singing For The Brain 2020 (HSFTB2020) set up as an independent group when the Alzheimer's Society said they could no longer fund all their successful Singing For The Brain groups and the local paid workers, and would be concentrating on research only.

This decision saw many of the nationwide local group having to close, but some – including our Havering group volunteers – decided to try to keep our 3 weekly groups going, as there were over 150 local people with Dementia and their Carers dependent on the three weekly groups at that time.

The value of the Singing For The Brain groups for people with Dementia is well documented. For example:

Research has long shown that Music can elicit emotions and memories and help provide a link to a person's past and promote interconnection with Carers and others with Dementia, and there are many studies that suggest that music also delays cognitive decline and promotes brain plasticity in the elderly brain. This is why the Singing For The Brain groups were set up.

Apart from the value of the social, singing, music and dancing aspect, our Havering groups are also information and support groups, as we also provide a range of Dementia literature and an experienced listening ear if you need to talk. We also have day outings every year to places of interest, theatre, etc.

Our 3 weekly groups on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, were in different parts of the borough, to allow for easy access for those people without transport, or found difficulty traveling by bus, train. All the groups were very well attended.

Over the first year we just about managed to keep thing going by some funding from the local council and a small entry donation from people attending one of our groups, which they were glad to do, to keep the groups going. To this extent, we were able to pay not only for the hire of the halls, Insurances, PPE kit for everyone, refreshments. Entertainers etc. etc., but also for a part-time worker to co-ordinate the groups and all the responsibilities that involved.

We were proud of the fact that we had managed to continue to keep the groups going, and we're looking forward to the future, when the Pandemic struck and not only put a halt on our progress, but over time wiped out much of our reserves, as we had to keep our paid worker on to continue all the liaison and promotional work, and give support to all our Dementia sufferers and Carers that were experiencing real problems in the lock-downs, not having the weekly support groups to come along to. Many of which attended all 3 groups.

Due to the Pandemic, once the Government gives the go ahead for us to re-open - Hopefully from 21st June, we only have sufficient core funds to continue running one of our original three groups, and we, are currently putting together a fund-raising package to attempt to secure long-term core funding from government sources, the National Lottery and such like. All of which takes time, with no guarantees of getting any financial support for some time.

We have sufficient funds to enable us to run the one remaining group until September, and we are implementing a number of small fund-raising activities to enable us to get through the remainder of 2021 or until we secure some core funding. This Just Giving facility is just one of those initiatives.

What we are seeking to raise through GoGetFunding is: £1,500.

This will enable us to continue running the group for a further three months up till December, when we hope to secure at least an assurance of some core funding.

There is currently no "cure" for Dementia. In fact, because Dementia is caused by different diseases, it is unlikely that there will be a single cure for Dementia. Current research is aimed at finding cures for dementia-causing diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Our groups give people with Dementia a bit of enjoyment and happiness before the inevitable happens. And it gives their Carers – often family – a bit of light relief, for which they are really grateful.

You can help us to continue our much valued service, by making a small donation toward our cause, and help us to help those in great need of our services.

We thank you in anticipation of your support.

For more information on our groups, please visit our Website: -

www.haveringsingingforthebrain2020.webador.co.uk

Or our FaceBook page: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/haveringsingingfor...