MAKING the most of the sunshine in between autumn showers was a choir made up of residents from Wellington’s Camelot House and Lodge.

The specialist dementia care home decided to hold the weekly rehearsal in the garden, complete with sunhats, sunscreen, and cool drinks to keep members’ vocal chords lubricated.

The choir was started by Harriet Burraston shortly after she joined Camelot as activities co-ordinator in March of this year.

She is a keen advocate for singing as a ‘happy-making’ activity for residents living with dementia, and now has a band of loyal choir members.

Ms Burraston said: “We all agree that whatever we are feeling like at the beginning of a choir session, we always feel better by the end of it.

“Singing has such a powerful, positive impact on people living with dementia.

“We sing songs that are sure to bring back memories, some from their childhood, such as ‘We’ll meet again’, ‘Run rabbit run’, and ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’, as well as favourites from more recent years, including hits by Elvis, Sinatra, and Abba.

“These songs remind people of episodes from their earlier lives and provide a sense of continuity with their past, helping them feel more like their former selves.

“It is well-established that musical memories tend to be among the last to be lost, because they are long-term, automated memories, less affected by Alzheimer's and dementia than explicit memory.

“And, importantly, the connections made in the brain by music and singing can improve mood, attention, and even speech, in those living with dementia by putting them back in touch with precious memories and emotions.

“The choir members are always telling us how much they enjoy singing together, and they are really keen to sing as often as they can, so it is no wonder the choir is going from strength to strength.”