Music and dementia charity Playlist for Life is encouraging care homes to host music-themed get-togethers over the summer to support people living with dementia.

Playlist for Life’s annual Musical Tea campaign launched  in 2019, aiming to give people time to connect, share memories and raise funds. The events also aim to educate care home staff and the wider community about the benefits of meaningful music for those living with dementia. Free resources to support the event are available from the charity’s website.

Michael Timmons, executive director at Playlist for Life, said: “A Musical Tea can be hosted in the form of a work event or catch-up with friends and family, and it can have as big or small a guestlist as you like.”

Playlist for Life was founded by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson in 2013. The charity’s National Playlist Day, 20 September, is a UK-wide event recognising the importance of personal playlists for those living with dementia.  Playlist for Life aims to ensure that everyone living with dementia has a playlist of personal music and that everyone who cares for them knows how to use the playlist effectively.

Mark Costello, manager at Carlisle Sight Support, hosted a Musical Tea last year. He said: “It proved to be a brilliant way of getting people who can increasingly become isolated, to join with others in a fun, social and communal activity.”

Sheryl Beebee, regional dementia practitioner at Hallmark Care Homes, implemented Playlist for Life in care homes after completing training with the charity. She said: “What we’ve found has really been incredible is the way that the residents have responded to the project. The residents have been singing, they’ve been dancing. It’s improved their mobility, it’s improved their speech. We’ve had more conversations and there’s been a lot more smiles as well.”