Welcome to Music for the Mind!

Singing together in a supportive, friendly group is uplifting, enjoyable and hugely therapeutic for people living with dementia and family carers alike.

Music is a powerful connector that helps people with dementia communicate, express feelings and share moments of joy, poignancy and remembrance together with others. It appears to 'unlock' parts of the brain, allowing people to retain song words and melodies longer than other memories, and this is what we build on at our Music for the Mind groups in Wiltshire. 

What happens at Music for the Mind

The 90-minute sessions are carefully structured to be both stimulating and fun. Although well-loved classics are part of the mix, we also learn new songs, sing rhymes and action songs that help physical , and tackle harmonies, rounds and partner songs.

We start each weekly session with a half hour of social time and refreshments before moving to the circle for a vocal warm-up. There is a lot of laughter! Members are encouraged to suggest songs they would like to sing and the atmosphere is warm and friendly with everyone taking part in their own way. 

The groups are all are led by professional singing teachers who are trained in dementia awareness and supported by teams of dedicated volunteers. 

They are designed for the person with dementia and a family carer to attend together, although people can also come on their own or with a support worker. The groups are held in local community centres that are easily accessible.

You do not have to be a good singer to take part! Meeting others, creating connections and enjoying each other's company are for many as important as the singing.

Find your group

Click on the name of the group in blue below for more details and to express an interest in coming along. 

Amesbury Monday afternoons at the Methodist Hall

Bradford on Avon Monday mornings at Wiltshire Music Centre 

Chippenham fortnightly on Thursday mornings at Sheldon Road Methodist Church

Harnham (Salisbury) Thursday mornings at St George's Hall

Lockeridge (Marlborough) Thursday mornings at Kennet Valley Hall

Seend Wednesday afternoons at Seend Village Hall

Trowbridge Monday afternoons at Mill Street Club

Westbury Thursday afternoons at Westbury Leigh Community Hall

Above - David Moss leads our Lockeridge group in August 2022. Only around half the group could attend the day we filmed this, but they still sound pretty good!  

Music at home

During lockdown our groups meet by Zoom and our singing leaders produced videos to watch and join in at home. These are still available for anyone to enjoy.

Find a Zoom session or music video to watch at home

Download the Music for the Mind leaflet:

Music for the Mind (please note it's two sided!)