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A choir created to support individuals living with dementia on the north coast has become an invaluable source of comfort and connection for its members. Established by Age Concern Causeway in September 2024, the group initially started with a small number of participants and has since expanded to include around 20 singers. This Christmas, their efforts were enhanced through collaboration with children from Castleroe Primary School, who joined them in a concert held at St Patrick’s Church in Coleraine.
One choir member, Kathleen Kane, aged 80 and living with dementia for six years, shared her joy in participating. “I love it and I sit at home and sing away,” she told BBC News NI, highlighting her fondness for Christmas music, especially the carol Silent Night. Kathleen reminisced, “When I was a child I sang Silent Night and loved it,” before launching into a song. Singing alongside her is her daughter, Sharon Chambers, who has observed positive changes in her mother’s demeanor since joining the choir.
Sharon expressed how the experience has brought something special to both of them. “We weren’t singers before but now we sing away and it’s so special we can do it together,” she remarked. She added, “This has been very good for her and it makes her very happy. Dementia is really hard on a family especially when you see them confused.” The support of younger generations was also emphasized by Elsie, a member of the Castleroe Primary School choir, who said, “It was a pleasure to see our singing bring a smile to their faces,” and stressed the importance of encouraging others to enjoy music and show solidarity with older adults.
Daphne McCarthy, another choir participant living with dementia, reflected on how music has always been a part of her life, especially church music. “I love it and it makes me so happy,” she explained. She also acknowledged the mutual joy experienced between the generations, saying, “You can also see the joy in the young people’s faces too and that is the greatest gift.” Mandy Corr, manager at Age Concern Causeway, highlighted the profound impact of the choir, noting how seldom people with dementia get opportunities to leave their homes: “When they sing they go back in time and start talking about memories from years ago.” She described the choir as “a life changing support network for so many of them” due to the noticeable positive transformations it brings
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