From Implementation to Impact: Celebrating Playlist for Life Certified Homes within Hallmark Luxury Care
Parallel 5
18 November, 2026 2:10 – 3:20 pmMusic, Culture and Media in Dementia Care
Rebecca Kennedy is Head of Communities at Playlist for Life: a leading UK music and dementia charity. Rebecca earned a BMus (Communities) from the University of Aberdeen and has worked in the voluntary and health and social care sectors for over 8 years. Rebecca started her career in the care home sector as an Activities Coordinator, witnessing the impact music can have in dementia care first hand with residents. Rebecca joined Playlist for Life in 2018, to support the charity’s aim of bringing a playlist of personally meaningful music to everyone living with dementia in the UK.
Passionate about the power of music and community connection, Rebecca works closely with health and social care professionals, policy leaders and third sector partners to expand the reach and impact of Playlist for Life’s mission.
Lisa Ruffell is a Regional Dementia Practitioner at Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, bringing over 35 years of experience in adult social care and more than five years within the organisation. Beginning her career in direct care, she has developed a strong practical understanding of the needs of people living with dementia, which continues to underpin her approach to leadership and practice.
In her current role, Lisa works closely with care teams to embed evidence-based, relationship-centred approaches that enhance quality of life and support consistently high standards of care. She has led the implementation of the Playlist for Life approach across Hallmark homes, championing the use of personalised music to strengthen connection, identity and emotional wellbeing.
Passionate about the role of music in dementia care, Lisa is committed to driving continuous improvement and enabling teams to deliver compassionate, meaningful support for residents and their families.
Lisa Ruffell
Regional Dementia Practitioner
Hallmark Luxury Care Homes
Lisa Ruffell is a Regional Dementia Practitioner at Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, bringing over 35 years of experience in adult social care and more than five years within the organisation. Beginning her career in direct care, she has developed a strong practical understanding of the needs of people living with dementia, which continues to underpin her approach to leadership and practice.
In her current role, Lisa works closely with care teams to embed evidence-based, relationship-centred approaches that enhance quality of life and support consistently high standards of care. She has led the implementation of the Playlist for Life approach across Hallmark homes, championing the use of personalised music to strengthen connection, identity and emotional wellbeing.
Passionate about the role of music in dementia care, Lisa is committed to driving continuous improvement and enabling teams to deliver compassionate, meaningful support for residents and their families.
Summary
This interactive session, delivered collaboratively by Playlist for Life and Hallmark Luxury Care, will explore how personalised music can be embedded as a core component of high-quality dementia care.
Hallmark Care Homes has adopted Playlist for Life’s psychosocial approach through a whole-home, relationship-centred model that integrates personalised music into everyday care.
Drawing on over 20 years of existing evidence and Hallmark’s real-world implementation practice, the session will demonstrate how a partnership approach can move personalised music from being a simple intervention to becoming a sustained cultural practice within care homes.
Attendees will learn about a structured implementation model that integrates workforce training, care planning, resident and family involvement, and digital systems. The session will also include fun and practical activities that will help attendees understand the value of personally meaningful music in enhancing communication and connection in their own practice.