East Midlands Orchestra Plans Dementia Friendly Performances
Derby-based Sinfonia Viva, the Orchestra of the East Midlands, is planning to launch a programme of dementia-friendly classical music performances in Derby.
To bring the plans to reality, Sinfonia Viva has been selected to be a beneficiary as part of the Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign which is running online between March 19 and 26.
The Orchestra has set itself a £5k target for individual donations, with the Big Give match funding every donation made up to this target.
If the funding is achieved, a series of relaxed performances for people living with dementia and their carers and families will be given in accessible buildings by a small group of Sinfonia Viva musicians.
Sinfonia Viva plans to bring the expertise gained through its nationally-recognised education and community work to the programme.
This includes the Orchestra’s award-winning, family-friendly concerts; its work with disabled people; the Sing Viva carers’ choir in Derby; and a specialist project working with people in Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Essex who are living with dementia to empower them to express themselves and communicate through music.
Sinfonia Viva CEO Lucy Galliard explained: “People living with dementia and their carers can face challenges in social interaction which can result in loneliness, isolation, and reduced wellbeing.
“There are numerous barriers to participation in group activities such as concerts, with a lack of bespoke opportunities which meet their specific needs and place them, and those who care for them, at the heart of the activity.
“We have a wealth of experience in delivering high quality inclusive concerts, and engaging people living with dementia.
“This learning will enable us to create relaxed one-hour performances which will provide new opportunities for individuals living with dementia in our region.
“We will create short programmes of familiar music which are introduced in a friendly and accessible way. Concerts will take place in an informal space where the audience can move about freely, respond to the music in their own way, or just sit back and enjoy the experience.
“Our ambition is to establish a regular series of performances that can be enjoyed by people living with dementia and their family members, carers, and friends in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space.
“We also plan to serve tea and cake afterwards where audience members can meet the musicians and other families with shared experiences, developing a new creative and supportive community.”
To donate to the Big Give between March 19 and 26, please visit https://bit.ly/SinVivaBigGive and, for more information about Sinfonia Viva concerts and performances around the East Midlands, please visit www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk
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