Volunteers from the Alzheimer's Society have been visiting the Butterfly Lounge at HRI to provide an interactive singing session called Singing for the Brain - and we managed to catch a snap shot of them in action on film.
Prevention of Delirium Co-ordinator, Sarah Duke gave us the low-down on the initiative, aimed at patients living with dementia:
Who is eligible to take part?
Singing for the Brain is an Alzheimer's Society initiative. The sessions use singing to bring people with dementia together in a friendly and stimulating activity. We invite patients and their relatives from the Elderly medical and Orthopaedic wards to join us in the Butterfly Lounge at HRI to take part.
Where did the idea come from to run these sessions?
The voluneteers normally visit local care homes, though they've been to see us before and it was well received. So the Prevention of Delerium team invited the ladies back in and they will hopefully be joining us again very shortly. Sarah added "It has been a great privilege to have the ladies join us. They volunteer their time to do this and it makes such a difference".
Is there a favourite song/era of song?
'Que sera sera', 'She'll be coming round the mountain' and 'Daisy, Daisy' are amongst some of the favourite songs that our patients have enjoyed singing along to.
How does singing enhance patient care?
The singing has proven to be great at lifting peoples mood, bringing a mix of generations together, it has shown as a way to reconnect with peoples past, stimulating their memories and conversation. Props are included - so movement is also increased as the patients shake their instruments or wave a scarf along to the rhythm.
It has been wonderful to see the joy it has brought, the smiles and the laughter are so uplifting.
Pictured in the main image are Holly Sheperd, Engagement Support worker, Sarah Duke, P.O.D coordinator and Donna Kellett, Engagement Support worker. They're joined by volunteers Nancy, Jo and Bronwyn.
The link to the video clip is here
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Singing isn't just beneficial to our patients, which is why we've recently launched our staff choir.
Chaplain, Sue Naughton, who is leading on the choir told us: "Evidence indicates a number of health benefits from singing and choir participation, including reducing stress as well as improving a feeling of mental and social well-being.
"The choir forms part of the support to colleagues provided by the chaplaincy department which includes pastoral/spiritual care and promoting mental health and well-being.
"It's early days for our choir, and we have an external musical director on board to help us. We took on some feedback and moved the next sessions to HRI so hopefully more people can get involved".
Please see the dates and times below - any questions please contact Sue via the switchboard or on 01422 224 220.
Start date: Wednesday 17th July 2019. 5.15pm-6.45 pm
Block of six sessions - one per week (last on Wednesday 21st August 2019).
Will continue in blocks of 6 weeks.
Venue: The Hope Centre (Chapel), Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Cost £5/session - total £30. Full amount for 6 sessions payable in advance. Non-refundable as we have to pay the professional fees to Kate Peters - (musical director) in advance.
Information about Kate - professional musician, performance and recording artist. https://www.kate-peters.com/biography