Borough Council boosts ‘Singing for Brain’ choir inspired by TV’s Vicky McClure

Choir sessions to help local people combat dementia have been given a funding boost by Erewash council – in the wake of telly’s Vicky McClure championing the therapy.

The weekly meet-ups were launched after the Trigger Point star fronted the uplifting BBC1 documentary Our Dementia Choir.

Her late gran had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s – leading the actress to set up a singing group for others with the illness in her home city of Nottingham. The 2019 documentary followed her mission to demonstrate the “healing power” of music in the run-up to a performance at the city’s Royal Concert Hall. 

The £669 grant has gone to a Sawley-based version of her choir. It is called Long Eaton Singing for the Brain and is backed by the Alzheimer’s Society. Dozens of singers and their carers meet every Friday from 2pm to 3.30pm at All Saints Church Hall.

The choir’s leader Janet Micklewright said: “Singing songs that people living with dementia know and love enables them to still engage in an activity. Even when speech is affected, the part of the brain storing songs from earlier in life is often still functioning. At each session, we aim to provide an uplifting and enjoyable time for the members. People living with dementia may not be able to remember the session, but the positive emotions they've experienced during the session carry on after the session has finished.”

Janet launched the choir in January 2021. She said: “From having half a dozen members we now have 44 plus two extra leaders – Jo and Rayleen – and nine volunteers. We prefer not to charge a set amount for the sessions but some members like to give a donation towards our expenses. At the end of each year we donate surplus funds to the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK. Last year our members raised £2,500 which was split between the two charities.”

There is currently a waiting list to take part in the choir. Anyone wishing to be added to the list is invited to contact Janet via email at sftbjanet @ gmail.com

Actress Vicky – who also stars in Line of Duty – is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, which in the wake of her documentary saw a surge in inquiries about setting up choirs.

The Sawley-based one successfully applied to Erewash Borough Council for one of its Fast Funding community grants towards venue hire and public liability insurance.

The grants, which use money from the Government, are worth up to £1,500 and are aimed at projects and activities that benefit local people and which usually involve volunteers. More details about them can be found here: Community Grants | Erewash Borough Council

Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “It is fantastic that Janet’s choir is thriving.” 

Cllr Josy Hare, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The council is delighted to have awarded Long Eaton Singing for the Brain one of our community grants.”