An initiative that helps those with dementia join choirs is to benefit from funding of £225,000

An initiative which sees those with dementia benefit from singing in choirs is set to be expanded nationwide.

Funding of £225,000 has been announced by the Life Changes Trust and the Baring Foundation to support new and existing community choirs across the whole of Scotland to become dementia inclusive. The funding has been awarded to creative ageing organisation Luminate to oversee the project - with support from Age Scotland, Scottish Care and Making Music.

Research has shown the benefits of participation in community singing, which include improved mental, social and emotional well-being, increased confidence and improved quality of life.

Anna Buchanan, chief executive of the Life Changes Trust, said: “With this funding, Luminate and their partners will create a strong, nationwide network of people with shared values and purpose, and a love of singing.

“Many people living with dementia stop taking part in activities that may have given them great pleasure in the past, or which allowed them to mix with their peers. Dementia can also prevent people trying new things – like singing.

“This choir network will support the sharing of resources and ideas, linking up newer choirs with more experienced choirs so they can be mentored. It will increase the public profile of dementia inclusive choirs and create opportunities for the abilities of people with dementia to be recognised and celebrated.”

The Life Changes Trust and the Baring Foundation have already funded a number of projects that enable older people and people with dementia to participate in the arts. These projects challenge assumptions and stereotypes, address discrimination and provide an opportunity for people to thrive in later life.

Anne Gallacher, director of Luminate, said: “Research shows the wide-ranging benefits of community singing, and we want to ensure that the opportunity to sing in a local choir is available to people living with dementia across Scotland.

“There are some wonderful inclusive choirs across Scotland already, and I’m looking forward to learning from the great work that’s already going on, and to sharing experiences across Scottish communities. Above all, it’s vital to us that the views and wishes of people living with dementia and their carers help us to shape our work over the next two years.”

The Life Changes Trust was set up with a Big Lottery Fund endowment of £50 million to improve the lives of two key groups in Scotland: people affected by dementia and care experienced young people.