Currently, there is no cure for dementia; however there are many kinds of support that can improve the symptoms or quality of life of those living with it. Can singing also help with dementia and if so, how effective is it? These are some of the question we sought to find out when we spoke with Katherine Harri, the Director of Development and Communications at Forget-me-not Chorus. Through in-person and online sessions, Forget-Me-Not Chorus is a non-profit organisation, which aims to bring joy and laughter to those living with or alongside dementia, via this unconventional approach to support.
Can you tell us a bit about your previous experience working with dementia?
Before becoming involved with Forget-me-not Chorus, my experience of working with people living with dementia came through personal experience. That helped me understand that dementia affects not only the person with the diagnosis, but also their family and friends.
Where did the idea of doing something like this come from?
Forget-me-not Chorus itself began as a pilot project with Welsh National Opera and the Vale of Glamorgan Alzheimer’s Society, exploring how singing could support people living with dementia and their families. It was not about concentrating on what someone might have lost, but about creating a shared experience where people could enjoy music, friendship, laughter, and connection.
How has that experience translated into the work you do now?
The pilot established a single community choir in Cardiff in 2011. Today, the organisation runs 7 community choirs, 12 care home choirs, 4 hospital choirs, and a Zoom choir! Although the charity has grown, we apply the same way of working. We try to make sure that people feel welcomed as individuals from the moment they arrive, and that there is no pressure to participate in a particular way. Some people sing throughout a session, while others listen, watch, chat, or join in when they feel comfortable. All of those forms of participation are equally valuable. The experience has reinforced the importance of being flexible, patient, and responsive to how someone is feeling in that particular moment, without expectation.
Can you talk us through the process of acquiring new members?
We offer in-person community sessions in North, South, and West Wales as well as Cornwall, open to anyone living with or alongside dementia. New members often hear about us through word of mouth, but we also raise awareness through local dementia services, healthcare professionals, community organisations, social media, or our website. There is no need to consider yourself a singer, and no musical experience is required. Community choirs are free of charge, and no referral is needed. We aim to make joining feel as easy, relaxed, and welcoming as possible. Most people contact their local session coordinator for a chat before joining their first session. It’s a great chance to ask any questions, and the session coordinator knows to be ready with a warm FMNC-welcome!
What new things have you learned through working with Forget-me-not Chorus?
Dementia may affect memory, communication, or confidence, but it does not take away a person’s creativity, humour, personality, or ability to connect with others. I have also learned how important the wider group is. The support does not only come from the musicians or volunteers; it grows naturally between choristers, families, carers, and everyone else in the room. A choir can become a genuine community where people understand and support one another without judgement.
Do you have any stand-out success stories?
There have been many moments that have stayed with me, although success does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it is someone who arrived feeling hesitant, gradually beginning to sing, or connect with the people around them. Sometimes it is a family member saying that they have shared moments of joy with the person they know and love, rather than seeing only the challenges of dementia. Those moments of recognition, confidence, and shared joy are incredibly meaningful.
What do you wish more people knew about the relationship between music and dementia?
I wish more people understood that music is not simply entertainment or a way of passing the time. It’s not about singing songs from the 1930s and 40s – we’ve recently enjoyed a Bruno Mars song! Music helps people feel present, connected, and able to express themselves, even when other forms of communication have become more difficult. It is important to acknowledge that the value is not only in recalling an old song or memory. Music can create new experiences, nourish family relationships, and bring new moments of joy in the here and now.
National Dementia Carers Day is all about recognising the work of unpaid dementia carers. There are so many visionaries, like Katherine, who are improving the way we approach dementia caregiving, and so many stories to share, which you can discover on our blog page. You can also learn more about the brilliant work Katherine and Forget-Me-Not Chorus do by visiting their website.
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