HOME and Live In care provider, Bluebird Care has awarded newly established community group Mindful Music a community grant to enable them to fund free therapeutic singing sessions for up to 10 people aged 65 plus who are affected by dementia, Parkinson’s disease or have suffered a stroke.

This is the third award as part of a new grant scheme launched last year to benefit local groups that work with older people. Staff from Bluebird Care reviewed all the applications and after careful consideration were very pleased to be able to support the important work of Mindful Music.

The group evolved from a ‘Singing for the Brain’ session which was funded by the Alzheimer’s Society.

A team of six volunteers decided to create this group, assisting people, particularly those challenged with dementia, Parkinson’s disease and/or affected by a stroke, to maintain physical and emotional well-being through singing in a safe and supportive environment. They believe that to have a voice, you need a voice.

Bridget Hunter, Mindful Music secretary and volunteer with the project, said: “The generous donation from Bluebird Care will secure the group’s sustainability for the coming 12 months.

“Our participants and their carers will retain the continuity of weekly sessions, which are so important to their well-being and to maintaining their verbal communication skills.”

Bluebird Care provides a range of home and live in care services from one or more 30 minute visits a day to longer companionship calls, overnight care and 24-hour live in care. All their services are designed to ensure that people can stay safely in their own homes and offer a realistic alternative to residential care.

Phil Miles, director of Bluebird Care, said: “We are thrilled to support this very new, exciting and worthwhile project. At Bluebird Care, we understand the need to look at the health and wellbeing of the whole person and this project reflects this very well.”

Bluebird Care will be running further grant schemes later in 2017. For more details or to request an application form, email [email protected], or call Michael Auton on 07862 253514.