Singing together: the advantages to emotional wellbeing and self respect
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Barbirolli Room |
Nia Davies Williams
Freelance Musician and Musician in Residence
Freelance and Pendine Park Care Organisation.
Summary
The tendency amongst some people who have been diagnosed with any form of dementia is to slowly retreat from their community and social activities because they don’t want to be seen as being forgetful and confused. Singing in a group is a social activity that brings people who find themselves in a similar situation closer together. It can boost emotional wellbeing and fuel self-respect. It can relieve tension, depression, confusion and anxiety. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that active participation through singing can also be an effective means of expression.
I conduct many group sessions, where the attendance can vary from between ten to around thirty residents. This presentation intends to demonstrate the benefits and the joy that singing together in a group can bring.