13th March 2023

Music for the Mind teacher Caroline Radcliffe has won Teacher/Coach of the Year at the Wiltshire Life Awards.

Caroline has led Music for the Mind at Bradford on Avon since 2010 and the Westbury group for more than 10 years. In that time she  bringing her musical talents, encouragement and humour to hundreds of people affected by dementia.

Alzheimer's Support CEO Sarah Marriott said: "This is so deserved. Caroline is an amazing musical leader and her sessions are absolutely brilliant. 

“The group is not just a ‘singalong’; members learn about musical concepts and styles sing harmonies and learn new words.  Much of this is down to the extraordinary power of music to ‘unlock’ parts of the brain, but much of it is to do with Caroline’s approach.  

"She approaches her dementia groups like any other choir, starting with physical and vocal warm-ups, teaching new material in short sections that build up each week, introducing challenge in the form of partner songs, rounds and harmonies. The results are extraordinary and profound, and all done with humour, a light touch and with great respect for her singers and a deep understanding of the challenges they face.” 

Receiving her award, Caroline told the audience at Devizes Corn Exchange how her group as Bradford on Avon was currently learning Sailing by Rod Stewart in three-part harmony, adding: "Because that is what adults with dementia can do."

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