A GROUP of 60 pupils from St Bartholomew’s Primary School, in Haslemere, struck the right note at the town’s Marjorie Gray Hall as part of a project to promote a better understanding of dementia.

The year six children spent time finding out about the musical tastes and memories of clients at the Alzheimer’s Society Day Centre and researched and developed individual playlists, which they presented to them.

Waverley Borough Council is signed up as a Dementia Friendly champion and is working with Surrey County Council and NHS services to make life better for people with dementia, their families and carers.

Jenny Else, Waverley’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “It’s inspiring to see children talk with, and get to know people with dementia. This helps develop a greater understanding and acceptance of the fact that is possible to live well with dementia.

“Music always has a powerful way of bringing people together, and this is no exception. As we live longer it is predicted that more of us will experience the difficulties associated with dementia.

“As scientists search for a cure, Dementia Diaries is certainly helping to enhance a sense of wellbeing to people living with this condition as well as increasing a better understanding of it.”

Joy Valcarcel, Alzheimer’s Society services manager for South West Surrey, said: “It was great to see the children speaking to people with dementia. I think it helped the children to realise that there is more to a person than a diagnosis of dementia. Music can be a great tool for reminiscence and can help bring back memories for people with dementia.

“We’re so happy that we got to work with the children as they could be the health care professionals of the future.”

Year six class teacher Mo Ashdown added: “We are delighted that our Year 6 had this opportunity to be involved in their community through this wonderful and worthwhile project.

“The children enjoyed learning about all the different types of music from years ago but the magic really started to happen when the children and the older people connected through their shared enjoyment of music.”