We had another fantastic 'Music and Memories' session on the 30th April with a last visit from our Mayor, Councillor Steve Green, before he leaves office. He has been a big supporter of our dementia friendly 'Music and Memories' group throughout his year in office.
We base our singalong playlist on requests from our group members so that we have a range of songs from different decades and styles but every song means something to one of our group. So we asked the Mayor for a request of his own for this session and he picked 'Bat Out of Hell' by Meatloaf. As this is also a favourite of one of our staff team Debbie who is not only a great singer but also happy to do anything to give the group a good laugh, she did a very special version including a 'motorbike' made by another creative member of the library staff team, as you can see above.
It brought us all to tears of laughter and we thank the Mayor for his brilliant suggestion and also to our dear Debbie for always going the extra mile to entertain and 'uplift' our group members. We have the full video available for anyone who wants to call in Central Library and request a viewing. Given the length of the track and the amazing performance, we can't do it justice here. You really need to join us and see Debbie in action for the full glorious effect.
Like many others we have been moved and fascinated to see the BBC documentary fronted by the actor Vicky McClure about a dementia choir she set up in Nottingham where there is some really interesting research being done into the beneficial effects of music for people living with dementia.
There are plenty of resources available online at the BBC Dementia Choir resources page. Also our fantastic colleagues at Alzheimer's Society in Barnsley are a brilliant source of help and advice and can direct you to your nearest Singing For The Brain groups.
We love a good laugh and a good dance - once the music starts it's hard to sit still and the amazing Pat's enthusiasm for the music is infectious.
When we have been out to care homes in Barnsley to take the group out to people who can't make it into the library due to being in the later stages of dementia, we have seen the power of music in action. Here are some of the gang on a trip to Parkside at Wombwell in February. Before our very eyes we have seen people who can't hold a conversation respond to music and tap along or even sing along with enthusiasm and it is extremely moving to see.
We are also following the Music For Dementia 2020 Campaign and hoping as a public library service we can help support their campaign to provide access to music activities for all people living with dementia by 2020.
Although our group was started for people living with dementia and their carers, we do really welcome anyone who needs a good bit of musical 'uplift' to their lives and we have many regulars who just join us for this reason. The more the merrier.
Above is Cliff and his daughter Lynne who both love all sorts of music from Bing Crosby to Billy Fury, Neil Diamond and many more. Cliff is also a big reader and a regular for a good crime or western story from our fiction section. He introduced us to the lovely song 'Don't Fence Me In'- Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters do a fab version if you want a listen. Lynne, like some of our other group members, is also a member of the Uplift Coffee Cafe Choir delivered by the brilliant local charity Creative Recovery.
There really are so many good ways to boost your well-being with music activities across Barnsley. See the website Live Well Barnsley.
Here at Barnsley Libraries we feel extremely lucky and privileged to share music with so many lovely Barnsley folk who totally embody the Town Spirit. They show us every day how they are making the most of life in spite of the difficulties of living with dementia and they inspire us all.
We are having a short break from sessions whilst we move buildings. Our next Music and Memories session will be in our gorgeous new Library@theLightbox on Tuesday 16 July.
We can't wait to get singing and dancing on that fab new sprung dance floor. Do join us then. For any further information please email Librariesmusic@barnsley.gov.uk or telephone 01226 773555.