Over the past few months, Playlist for Life have been working in communities in a slightly different way than usual but have been continuing to promote free services that might be of interest to older people and carers living in your communities, as well as people living with dementia. The soundtracks to their lives, the music they grew up with, can play a part in providing mental and emotional wellbeing to them in these times.
Please see an update from Playlist for Life about the great work they're doing:
"We have been working with the Alzheimer’s Society, Age Connects, Music for the Brain, care homes, carers, relatives and appointees to promote the value of playlists.
For example, we have been working with the Alzheimer’s Society and been busy making personal playlists on MP3 players and sending them out to people living with dementia in the community – people who were unable to attend their usual dementia groups due to lockdown. Alzheimer’s Society have recognised the value of bringing some pleasure to their service users at this challenging time.
If you would like to find out more about Playlist, we have a good online resource section, where people have been reading and downloading forms to help create playlists and musical memories. The BBC Musical Memories project is a partner, providing a wealth of material to create people’s playlists.
https://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/resources/
As an Community or Town Council, you might want to consider becoming a Playlist Community Help Point or know of any organisation in your area that may be interested. This is a signposting project to promote our free services to communities and also, if you have one, place a link on your website, signposting members of your community to the services and resources we offer.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Help Point, and would like to distribute information to your service users electronically or via paper copies alongside your literature, please sign up using the link at the bottom of this message. You will receive a small pack of materials which could be distributed to anyone who you think might benefit – perhaps popped in a shopping bag, or along with a prescription as they are being dropped off. Or perhaps you could use the materials during phone conversations, it would be entirely up to you. While our charity has traditionally been aimed at people with dementia, we know that during these difficult times a playlist might help anyone living in isolation, especially elderly, so feel free to distribute SCHP materials as you see fit.
What is in the pack?
- 50 Get Started Leaflets
- 50 Conversation Starters
- 50 Create the Soundtrack to Your Life workbooks
- A cover letter, explaining the best use of the resources above
Mae’r gwybodaeth ar gael yn Gymraeg hefyd. The information is also available in Welsh.
In addition to the pack there will also be online support and videos.
You can sign up here with this very short registration form. If you have any questions, please email me or Mary, who is the Help Point Co-ordinator on Mary(at)playlistforlife.org.uk.
Here's a case study of how important music is in the lives of those living with dementia - Harry and Margaret’s story, which is a lovely example:
https://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/harry-margarets-story/ "
If you need any further information, please contact
Steff Griffiths
Local Co-Ordinator – Mid Wales
+44 (0) 7712 273946
Steff(at)playlistforlife.org.uk