People living with memory problems invited to attend music, song and movement sessions

Kirklees-based organisation Hoot, in partnership with South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is inviting local people living with dementia to music sessions in an opportunity to use their creativity and imagination.

The sessions, called Music and Song, will be held at Hoot Creative Arts, Bates Mill, Milford Street, Huddersfield, HD1 3DX, will take place every Monday until 25th March 2013.

Hoot musician Jess Baker will use the song ‘what a wonderful world’ as the focus for music, movement and voice to take participants’ on an imaginary journey exploring the sights and sounds of our woodlands. There will be opportunities to create music and songs, meet new people and have fun all in the safe and supportive Hoot environment.

Music and Song is part of the Breathing Space programme, which offers people with dementia and their family member, partner, carer or support worker a range of creative activities to improve cognitive function and strengthen relationships. It’s proven that taking part in creative activities has positive benefits to mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Breathing Space is provided by Hoot, which is a creative partner of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and as a result is part of a growing infrastructure of community organisations who are working with the Trust to provide creative projects to local people. As part of Creative Minds the Trust aims to support voluntary and community organisations, like Hoot, to deliver a variety of creative projects to help improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

Since Breathing Space began local people diagnosed with dementia have been attending weekly group activities where they can meet people, make friends and have fun. Sessions include music and song, movement, dance and visual arts.

Moira Wade, who coordinates the Breathing Space project at Hoot said, “Music and Song is the next stage of our Breathing Space programme, which some people in Kirklees are already benefiting from. These sessions will focus on the use of music, song and movement to engage people and stimulate memories and imagination linked to the environment and woodlands. We hope to see new and familiar faces at these weekly sessions. We would also welcome referrers to come and see what we do and refer people to a project.”

For more information and to find out how to refer contact Moira at Hoot on 01484 516224.

More information about Creative Minds can be found at www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/creativeminds