{"id":49,"date":"2024-03-25T23:37:42","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T23:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/arts-and-health\/?p=49"},"modified":"2024-06-22T06:24:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-22T05:24:05","slug":"case-study-forget-me-not-chorus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/arts-and-health\/case-study-forget-me-not-chorus\/","title":{"rendered":"Case study: Forget-Me-Not Chorus on singing and dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this case study, Forget-me-not Chorus<\/a> Artistic Director Kate Woolveridge and Administrative Director Sarah Teagle reflect on how they have engaged people living with and alongside dementia in singing and what makes their model so successful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What we do: engaging older people living with and alongside dementia in singing<\/b><\/h1>\n

Forget-me-not Chorus uses the power of song to make a real difference to those living with <\/span>and<\/span> alongside dementia. It is thought that one million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025 and there is – as yet – no cure, so there is a crucial need for services that help people to live well with dementia. That\u2019s where FMNC comes in!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our approach and our sessions are deliberately different from other organisations as they are designed to support people with dementia PLUS their families, friends and formal carers. Before the pandemic, we ran ten weekly choirs across Wales and reached over 300 people in the community, in care homes and in hospitals. In response to the pandemic, we realised that our services are needed more than ever, and quickly adapted to offer sessions via Zoom as well as offering online filmed resources accessed for free on our website. When restrictions and weather allowed, FMNC also provided outdoor singing sessions in care home\/hospital car parks and gardens. As there are no geographical limitations on our \u2018virtual\u2019 service, we will maintain this aspect of our delivery alongside in-person sessions. We now have over 1000 care homes across the UK accessing our online resources and all our in person services have fully recovered and expanded.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the impact of dementia can be devastating, FMNC sessions are far from sad. Joy and laughter are the norm with each session providing a little relief from the often relentless everyday caring routine. One chorister described FMNC as \u2018a spa for the soul\u2019 which sums it up perfectly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Project examples:<\/b><\/h1>\n

Digital Threads<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Location: St David’s Hospital, C&V UHB<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

In Spring 2021, <\/span>as research revealed<\/span><\/a> people with dementia were being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, we launched Digital Threads \u2013 an online music and poetry programme aimed at keeping inpatients with dementia cognitively active and socially connected. Across Wales, family and friends were unable to visit inpatients with dementia, and health care staff were overwhelmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

We used interactive singing and movement sessions to help inpatients with dementia tell their personal stories artistically, keeping them cognitively and physically active. <\/span>\u00a0<\/b>We ran our three 10-week block of sessions on Zoom for 70 patients. They would sit on the ward with a Mental Health Matters staff member in front of a screen, and, from our homes, we would take small groups through a warm-up session before encouraging each to talk about themselves. This would lead us into song.\u00a0 Our musicians and singers would lead the session remotely, incorporating simple physical movements to keep patients active within their limitations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Artists and poets Louise Osborn and Emma Jenkins silently observed off-camera to create poetry inspired by the stories shared.\u00a0 In total, we worked with approximately 70 patients, favouring quality of experience over quantity, and have witnessed a positive impact on people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One patient, a folk band singer, was initially sceptical and disengaged. However, he opened up after we played a song called \u2018An elephant never forgets\u2019.\u00a0 We also worked with a man from Hong Kong who spoke little English when we met. He didn\u2019t respond to our sessions until we sang him a traditional Chinese folk song from his country. He sang along for the first time in his native tongue, which was a powerful moment of connection. \u00a0 The poetry produced by the project has inspired artwork by renowned Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn. This and an audio reading of the poems by \u2018It\u2019s a Sin\u2019 actor Callum Scott Howells can be found <\/span>on our immersive website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 The artwork will also be displayed at the hospital for staff and visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Singing in the community\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Location: 4 groups in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Newport and North Wales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FMNC\u00a0 supports those living with and alongside dementia in the community through groups that meet in Cardiff North, Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff South, Newport and North Wales.\u00a0 We run three 12 week projects a year where people living with dementia and their partners\/ carers\/ family members meet weekly for 2 hours to sing and share the joy of music within a safe, supportive community. Our innovative approach is not about bringing back memories by singing old songs, but we use music as a tool for communication and engagement<\/span> in the present<\/span><\/i>. By inspiring and encouraging everyone to participate to the best of their abilities, our work re-connects communities, nourishes relationships and improves health and wellbeing of everyone involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is crucial to use a dementia friendly, accessible venue at the heart of the community to encourage attendance and support our participants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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With Joy My Soul Sings<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Location: Online<\/span><\/p>\n

Our tenth anniversary commission, <\/span>With Joy My Soul Sing<\/span><\/i>s was a celebratory project which provided an opportunity both to look back on our achievements and to look ahead to future endeavours, whilst reflecting a world changed by the global pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over 50 members of the FMNC family, including current and former choristers, engaged with us creatively for this project Members of local choirs and the Self Isolation Choir (a virtual choir with over 12,100 subscriptions to its online service from across the world) supported FMNC to celebrate the power and joy of song for all, forming a massed choir of over 150 singers.\u00a0 \u00a0 This composition was recorded to the highest quality with professional instrumentalists to ensure the work has a lasting artistic legacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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It is available on our website and through our social media channels: <\/span>www.forgetmenotchorus.com\/projects\/10th-anniversary-celebration\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Singing Strong Care Home Chorus<\/b><\/p>\n

Location: Online, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Newport, Gwynedd, Conwy, Cornwall<\/span><\/p>\n

FMNC Singing Strong Care Home Collective (SSCHC) supports those living with and alongside dementia in the care home community across the UK through the power of song. Inclusive sessions, online and in-person, improve the health and wellbeing of residents and staff, offering an opportunity to share a positive and uplifting experience together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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As a member of the SSCH Collective, a care home receives 3 Zoom sessions and 1 in-person interactive singing session for staff and residents per month. More than a simple singalong, all sessions are led by an expert music team and designed specifically for people living with and alongside dementia, connecting loved ones, carers and residents by building communities. We use music to communicate, to encourage movement, engagement and interaction. It\u2019s more than singing old songs, or bringing back memories. We\u2019re about creating a \u2018spa for the soul\u2019, living in the moment and bringing joy to all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pre recorded singing sessions\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Location: Online – nationwide<\/span><\/p>\n

We want to tackle the loneliness and isolation experienced by so many impacted by dementia, and the inequality of access to high-quality arts activities particularly if unable to access in-person. The numerous challenges of dementia put a huge strain on the physical\/mental health of all affected as they often face a lack of support, and difficulty in accessing activities.\u00a0 So we have created a series of high quality films, designed for care homes to use to encourage residents to engage physically and mentally in a creative activity.\u00a0 These sessions have been made available to care homes throughout the UK and we currently have almost 2000 engaging with this service.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On of our latest films,<\/span> Sing with me dance with me<\/span><\/i>, is led by Kate Woolveridge, Artistic director and features\u00a0 professional dancers.\u00a0 It has also been created in the welsh language. \u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0If music be the food of love, play on, <\/span><\/i>is led by Kate Woolveridge and features vintage Pathe footage, encouraging viewers to eat and drink through strong visual and musical themes.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of our latest films, <\/span>Sing with me, dance with me<\/span><\/i> is led by Kate Woolveridge FMNC Artistic Director and features professional dancers. <\/span>If music be the food of love, play on<\/span><\/i> is also led by Kate and features vintage Pathe footage, encouraging viewers to eat and drink through strong visual and musical themes. It has also been created in the Welsh language, delivered by Jessica Robinson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recruitment<\/b><\/p>\n

Community engagement<\/span><\/p>\n

Forget-me-not Chorus runs sessions in the community in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Newport & North Wales.\u00a0 FMNC has a member of staff who concentrates on the engagement of participants in the charity’s services. \u00a0 FMNC works hard to ensure we are connected with support workers, community connectors and other support agencies in each area that we operate. \u00a0 We also run a series of taster sessions with other support organisations, such as memory cafes, friendship groups and with day centres. \u00a0 We are well established in South Wales with all sessions currently operating at capacity.\u00a0 Further recruitment work is being concentrated on our North Wales choir to ensure all that are able can access the sessions.\u00a0 The charity has a very high retention rate, with people staying with the service throughout their dementia journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

FMNC Calon is a new offering for those bereaved by dementia. This is a unique service currently in its pilot stage and running in partnership with Cardiff & Vale UHB.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Care home engagement<\/span><\/p>\n

Our services to care homes have evolved over recent years. The same core offering is provided to all care homes although as some have different needs (and available funding) we continue to offer a variety of\u00a0 pathways for care home service delivery, namely:<\/span><\/p>\n

Forget-me-not Chorus has made a <\/span>library of seven pre-recorded singing sessions<\/span><\/a>, available to all care homes for free via streaming services, downloadable links and via DVD.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hospital engagement<\/span><\/p>\n

Our services in specialist Older Person\u2019s Mental Health wards are currently run in partnership with Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Boards.\u00a0 We have engaged with physiotherapists and occupational therapists in order to use music as a pathway to exercise engagement, and to assist with nutrition and hydration needs.\u00a0 Attend allied health professionals meetings, including physios<\/span><\/p>\n

Artistic\/ Special Projects<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the things that sets FMNC apart from other charities is the fact that it produces projects of high <\/span>artistic quality year-on-year. Artistic projects offer FMNC choristers a meaningful creative voice to share with the wider community, provide a sense of purpose, and instill pride.\u00a0 2023\u2019s project sees the charity partner with Welsh National Opera to commission a new piece of work based on the newly commissioned opera, <\/span>Blaze of Glory. <\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fundraising<\/b><\/h1>\n

We passionately believe that Forget-me-not Chorus should be free at the point of access and work hard to fundraise to support our core activities.\u00a0 Fundraising activity generally falls on our Director of Development and Comms who works with the Executive Team to create and implement a Fundraising Strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evaluation<\/b><\/h1>\n

FMNC works closely with independent bodies to provide evaluation advice and methods specifically suited to people with dementia, their carers and families. This includes quantitative statistics and extensive qualitative evaluation. We use a variety of means of collecting information to ensure everyone can contribute in a way appropriate to their needs, including online surveys and verbal interviews. In addition, our team observes and participates in sessions to witness participants\u2019 reactions and subtle but significant changes in abilities to communicate and engage. Information is collated and shared, and feeds directly into planning. Committed to ongoing learning, evaluation provides the opportunity to respond with creativity and innovation to best serve participants. We hope to contribute towards a changing mindset across arts, health and social care, as those impacted by dementia engage with arts organisations to meet the needs of all. Robust evaluation strengthens our ability to present a case for longer term funding as we have a tried, tested and fully evaluated offer. We regularly commission independent evaluation reports; to ensure continued excellence of service delivery, to identify areas for growth and development and to achieve sustainability. Recent evaluations include those by Dr Martin O\u2019Neill (2019)<\/a> and Dr Rebecca Fish & Alison Wilde (2022).<\/span><\/p>\n

Staffing<\/b><\/h1>\n

Crucial to the success of our service, all FMNC musicians are experts in their field, offering artistic excellence combined with the skill-set needed to empower, enable and inspire a vulnerable group to engage and sing. We are able to adhere to our core value of excellence by ensuring that our music team is fully trained and then supported to deliver sessions the \u2018Forget-me-not Way\u2019: training includes how to engage those living with and alongside dementia using song as a communication tool in the present, not just as a tool for reminiscence. Kate Woolveridge, FMNC Artistic Director has collated a music library of over 100 songs, advising on bespoke arrangements to ensure that the material is fit for FMNC participants to ensure maximum benefit. Our music team expresses unconditional positive regard for each and every member, alongside the motivation to stretch our singers in a safe and validating environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We have recently partnered with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to work with their Postgraduate Opera students to offer 3 music leader internships.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Arts and health ethos<\/b><\/h1>\n

By inspiring everyone to participate to the best of their abilities, our work re-connects communities, nourishes relationships and demonstrates the transformational power of song. Innovative <\/span>artistic project<\/span><\/a>s are designed to take choristers on a journey, showing that a good quality of life can be achieved despite the challenges of living with dementia. Collaborating with other organisations allows us to better understand community needs in addition to enhancing and diversifying our own artistic experiences and ongoing practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Participant benefits\u00a0<\/b><\/h1>\n

We have many stories about effective and deep engagement with participants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Frank* had been in St Davids Hospital for over 3 months and Covid restrictions meant that he had received no visitors. Frank was unhappy, depressed and confused and didn\u2019t understand why he couldn\u2019t go home. During our weekly zooms and through 1-2-1 conversations with patients, we discovered that Frank had led a folk band and had toured the UK for many years to great acclaim. After singing with Frank, his demeanour altered entirely and each week he would sing us a song from his album to the amazement and delight of the staff and himself.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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The observed and articulated benefits were related to psychological, physical, quality of life, and social factors, as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n