Manchester will have UK’s first centre of excellence for music and dementia- I hope it’s the first of many

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The project will see ‘Music Champions’ trained to support people living with dementia

Greater Manchester is to become the first region in the UK to have a centre of excellence for music and dementia. This comes following confirmation of over £1 million of funding being committed by several leaders and groups including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. 

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The money will go towards supporting the project that is to be hosted by Manchester Camerata. There will be in-project support from both University of Manchester and Alzheimer's Society. 

This funding will enable Manchester Camerata and Alzheimer’s Society to continue their ground breaking research-based music therapy programmes – Music in Mind (Camerata) and Singing for the  Brain (Alzheimer’s Society) to offer more musical support to people living with dementia across all of  Greater Manchester.  

The project will see Manchester Camerata and Alzheimer’s Society recruit  and train a volunteer and community workforce of 300 ‘Music Champions’ who will be trained to deliver the Music Cafes, helping to support  over 1000 people living with dementia in Greater Manchester across three years starting from October  2024. The research and data analysed by the University of Manchester will demonstrate the impact of  embedding music support as part of dementia care. 

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Bob Riley, Chief Executive of Manchester Camerata, told ManchesterWorld about what the news of funding and support means for the project.

He said: “We’ve had this programme now for over 12 years and we work with people who have dementia. We use improvisation as a way to unlock and help people, it’s been a really fulfilling process. 

“We’re going to widen the net and we’ll be working across all boroughs of Greater Manchester and we’re going to partner with the Alzheimer's Society, so there will be a national element too. It’s very exciting and it’s great to have Mayor Andy Burnham’s support. 

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“The other interesting aspect of this is the research side with the NHS. this will enable us to see what difference music makes to an individual.”

“This will be the UK’s first centre of excellence, and to be honest I don’t know of another one in the world. I hope this will inspire others, and I hope we’ll be the first of many and I hope it happens quickly. It’s a mixture of having an orchestra that is at the high standard of this one and having support from national organisations and of course the mayor. 

Manchester Camerata's Music in Mind music cafe with Andy BurnhamManchester Camerata's Music in Mind music cafe with Andy Burnham
Manchester Camerata's Music in Mind music cafe with Andy Burnham | Jay Cipriani

“Andy has been a massive supporter as he gets the power of music, and this makes a big difference. It’s always reassuring when people support you. 

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“One thing happened this week that struck me. I met a lady from Stockport Mind and she was asking what the centre is all about and I told her, and she just started to cry. For her, this is like a lifeline, and that’s just what music does. 

“In Manchester, we’re lucky that we have some of the best music from anywhere. This is allied with a certain distinctive mancunian spirit that makes us want to do things differently. This project is also fulfilling for our musicians.”

Bob outlined what people can do to support those living with dementia, adding: “Find a local group, a community group that is supporting people living with dementia and volunteer your time. You can do this by supporting Manchester Camerata, this is what we are about as well as our orchestral performances. Supporting us helps make this happen.” 

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Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "This is fantastic news for Greater Manchester,  and a reminder of the power of music to shape our lives and our communities. Manchester Camerata  have played a key role in our Music Commission, and I’ve seen firsthand the transformational impact of  what they do in our city-region. They are the ideal partner to pioneer the UK’s first Centre of Excellence  for Music and Dementia, working with the Alzheimer’s Society to unlock the potential of music as  therapy.”

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