Award-winning music and dementia charity Playlist for Life is bringing the power of personal playlists to North Yorkshire
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the charity has appointed Local Organiser Jan Tuson to run a 12-month project building a network of ‘Help Points’ across North Yorkshire. The charity is also looking for volunteers to help spread the word.
Playlist for Life was founded in 2013 by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson after the death of her mother, who lived with dementia, to ensure that everyone living with the condition has a playlist of personal music and that everyone who cares for them knows how to use it effectively.
Over two decades of scientific research has shown that listening to a personal playlist can improve the lives of those living with dementia. In fact, listening to music that is personally meaningful has many psychological benefits, meaning anyone can benefit from a playlist.
Personal playlists can:
- reduce anxiety
- improve your mood
- make difficult tasks more manageable
- evoke memories that can help families and carers connect
A Help Point is somewhere that people affected by dementia can access free information, resources and in some cases support about creating and using a personal playlist. Any organisation that can provide free advice, support or activity to people affected by dementia are invited to apply, from grassroots community groups to libraries, dementia cafes, sports clubs, community police stations, and GP Surgeries. Playlist for Life currently works with over 1800 Help Points around the UK.
It's free to sign up to become a Help Point, and the organisation will receive a free pack of printed resources to share as part of their activities. Materials are available in English, Chinese, Welsh, Gaelic, Hindi, Urdu, Polish, Punjabi, Gujarati, Somali and Nepalese.
Staff and volunteers will be invited to attend a free training webinar on Zoom.
I am very excited to be working in local communities across York and North Yorkshire to raise awareness about the power of personal playlists for those living with dementia. Having worked in the health and social care arena for over 15 years, I have seen first-hand the impact that living with dementia can have on a person’s quality of life, as well as that of their loved ones. The concept of a personal playlist is so simple, yet it has the potential to significantly improve a person’s health and wellbeing.
Playlist for Life was joint overall winner of the GSK Impact Award 2020. The award recognises the outstanding work of small and medium-sized charities working to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the UK.
Anyone wanting to know more or interested in becoming a community Help Point or volunteering is invited to visit www.playlistforlife.org.uk and/or contact: Jan Tuson at jan.tuson@playlistforlife.org.uk or call Jan on 07476342238.
