21.04.2022: Actress Vicky McClure and Our Dementia Choir led celebrations to unveil the Power of Music report – the culmination of a year’s work by UK Music and Music for Dementia.
Leaders from the worlds of music, politics, charities and the health and social care sectors came together on Wednesday (April 20) at Universal UK’s Kings Cross HQ to throw their support behind the recommendations of the report from UK Music and the leading music charity.
Music For Dementia, Universal Music UK, London, 20 April 2022. Photo by: Carsten Windhorst
Guests included actor Vicky McClure and Our Dementia Choir, which sang three songs including I’m a Believer and Stand by Me. Music for Dementia Ambassador Lauren Laverne, was also in attendance.
The Power of Music report calls for harnessing the untapped potential of music to help support people living with dementia, depression and other debilitating conditions.
Its publication follows a year-long study by UK Music and Music for Dementia – supported by The Utley Foundation. At the launch, The Utley Foundation announced it was making a £1 million donation to kickstart the securing of £10 million for grassroots music for dementia activity.
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Chief Executive at UK Music, said:
“This event demonstrated what a huge appetite there is to take this agenda forward. Across the music industry, the political landscape and the health and care system, we all want to harness the power of music to boost our health and wellbeing.
“This report can and should be the start of a revolution in how we use music to provide care and improve lives across the country. Now we need to work together to make that a reality.”
Vicky McClure, Chair of Our Dementia Choir, said:
“We should never underestimate the transformative and healing power of music. Music can uplift people living with dementia, change their mood and bring them joy.
“This is the reason why I started Our Dementia Choir and why it remains so close to my heart. We were all delighted to be invited to perform at the launch and not only meet so many people that think in the way we do, but who are also committed to ensuring music is used to benefit people with dementia in the future.”
Music For Dementia, Universal Music UK, London, 20 April 2022. Photo by: Carsten Windhorst
Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK David Joseph previewed Music Can, a dynamic online resource which serves as a music and dementia information hub.
It will feature a musical map highlighting local support, training and much more, all of which will complement existing health and care models. Initially its focus will be on dementia, but the longer-term aim is to adapt and develop its content for wider health and wellbeing.
Music Can will become the online place where people go to discover personalised music that is right for them at their point of need; where family and professional carers can find advice, information, access training and discover in-person activities taking place near them.
The resource will play a key role in supporting the delivery of social prescribing and skilling up health and social care practitioners to feel empowered and confident in using music as part of the care they provide.
Grace Meadows, Campaign Director at Music for Dementia, said the event “was a demonstration of what can happen when we work together to harness the power of music”.
She added: “The report offers practical and achievable recommendations, and it is testament to the vision of the report that we are already seeing tangible and meaningful investment being made in this space.”
Lauren Laverne, Music for Dementia Ambassador said: “This was a fantastic evening of collaboration and commitment to elevating music – with all its therapeutic benefits – to improve health and wellbeing in society.
“The great thing with this report is that it’s just the beginning and part of a long-term plan of what we can achieve by working together.”
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