Award-winning music and dementia charity Playlist for Life is bringing the power of personal playlists to Derbyshire

Music and dementia charity Playlist for Life is inviting community groups and organisations across the UK to join their free Help Point network to share the power of personal music for people living with dementia, their families and carers.  

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the charity is running  a 12-month project building a network of ‘Help Points’ across Derbyshire. The charity is also looking for volunteers to help spread the word. 

Playlist for Life was founded in 2013 by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson after the death of her mother, who lived with dementia, to ensure that everyone living with the condition has a playlist of personal music and that everyone who cares for them to know how to use it effectively.

Over two decades of scientific research has shown that listening to a personal playlist can improve the lives of those living with dementia. In fact, listening to music that is personally meaningful has many psychological benefits, meaning anyone can benefit from a playlist.  

Personal playlists can: 

·         reduce anxiety 

·         improve your mood 

·         make difficult tasks more manageable 

·         evoke memories that can help families and carers connect 

A Help Point is somewhere that people affected by dementia can access free information, resources and in some cases support about creating and using a personal playlist. Any organisation that can provide free advice, support or activity to people affected by dementia are invited to apply, from grassroots community groups to libraries, dementia cafes, sports clubs, community Police stations and GP Surgeries. Playlist for Life currently works with over 1000 Help Points around the UK.

It's free to sign up to become a Help Point, and the organisation will receive a free pack of printed resources to share as part of their activities. Materials are available in English, Welsh, Gaelic, Hindi, Urdu and Polish, with more languages to follow. Staff and volunteers will be invited to attend a free training webinar on Zoom. 

Playlist for Life was joint overall winner of the GSK Impact Award 2020. The award recognises the outstanding work of small and medium sized charities working to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the UK.  

Anyone interested in becoming a community Help Point or volunteering is invited to visit www.playlistforlife.org.uk and/or contact: Emma Mathews-Aspinall on emma.aspinall@playlistforlife.org.uk or call 07476329500

 

Watch the short film Discover Playlist for Life: personal music for dementia (4 mins)