Manchester-based orchestra relaunches hugely successful dementia music café
16.05.2022 - 13:55
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester Camerata has announced the re-launch of its Music Café at the Monastery in Gorton. The free, weekly music making sessions will return on Wednesday, May 18, coinciding with Dementia Action Week (May 16-22).
Led by specially trained Camerata musicians and music therapists, the café offers support to those living with dementia, as well as their families and carers. The work of the Manchester-based orchestra in creating these classes is funded by McLay Dementia Trust.
Dementia Action Week represents Alzheimer's Society's biggest and longest running awareness campaign. Each year, it works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to 'act on dementia', and this year’s theme is ‘diagnosis.’
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Lizzie Hoskin, Head of Community at Manchester Camerata, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to relaunch our Music Café this month, in Dementia Action Week. As we saw first-hand when the cafes first began in both Gorton and in Wigan, these music-making sessions make such a positive impact to those living with dementia and also their carers.
“Our musicians and community team are really looking forward to welcoming past and new friends to The Monastery, sharing a cup of tea and making music again in the amazing Great Nave - and even have a bit of a dance! We’re really proud to be able to make this Music Café possible with thanks to the generosity of the McLay Dementia Trust.
“It’s so exciting to see the positive impact our year-round community programme and life-enhancing dementia work is having.”
Due to the initial success of the initiative in Gorton, Manchester Camerata has