Music for Memories - UK
Music For Memories was the idea of Rachel Bignell in 2018. Rachel had experience working in the care sector and journeyed with her grandmother when she was diagnosed with dementia. She purchased the Alive Inside Music Memory Players from the Alive Inside Foundation in America, which was formed after the award-winning documentary “Alive Inside”, to offer personalised and individual playlists on special headsets for those living with dementia and memory loss, and on occasion to the spousal carers.
Music For Memories believe that the journey of living well with dementia begins at diagnosis and is one which could lead to the individuals and their carers being isolated, lonely and overwhelmed. They want to bring joy to those who are living with memory loss by providing memories through music. It is vastly documented that music has the ability to calm anxiety, boost memories and enjoyment to those listening to songs of their past.
Volunteers from the charity work closely with those diagnosed with dementia in the community or resident in nursing and residential care homes. They engage with the individual, their families and staff to provide an individual and personal playlist, which is downloaded by their team onto an SD card. The SD card is inserted into an Alive Inside headset, which is gifted to the end user by Music for Memories, at no cost to them or their families.
The charity has currently supplied 70 memory players to individuals within the Forest of Dean. They have received referrals from the community, Dementia Nurses, Care Homes, Memory Cafes and local Hospices, and are approaching doctor surgeries within the Forest of Dean to align with them. When individuals receive a diagnosis of dementia or memory loss, it proves beneficial to introduce the music memory player as part of their care plan. They are then in the position to assist the spouse/carer in their journey as well by introducing them to the numerous groups in the area, assisting with guidance as to where to find relevant information regarding Power of Attorney’s, District Nursing, Care Agencies and Private Carers.
In the past year, Music for Memories have received requests from areas outside of the Forest of Dean, as far as Scotland, Devon and Portsmouth. The Alzheimer’s society in Gloucester are keen for them to extend their work in the Gloucestershire area. Being close to the Welsh Border, they have received requests which could see them reaching into Wales during 2025 (Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth Care homes).
Music for Memories recognise the need to be strategic in how they grow the charity, given their reliance on volunteers and the self-funded nature of their work. In that spirit, Let Yourself Trust, became interested in a partnership with MFM to support their future growth and development. We so look forward to working together and seeing Music for Memories grow and grow. Please help us support their very special work.
With a website under construction, to learn more about Music for Memories, please visit:
