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On Saturday 11 of May, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited the Forget-me-not Chorus in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. The charity and choir, which started in 2011, empowers individuals living with dementia through the transformative medium of music and was recently successful in applying for funding from the local Your Community, Your Choice initiative. The funding will further support the choir in their weekly sessions.
Your Community, Your Choice, which helps support grass-roots projects across North Wales, is supported by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, and North Wales Police. The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest coming from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The project harnesses the power of music to provide support for people living with and alongside dementia. They meet in a dementia-friendly venue which is accessible and where they feel comfortable and safe. They meet for two hours a week and the free sessions are facilitated by a regular music team and session coordinator who get to know everyone involved. Through shared experiences they create a supportive community and meet people who are on the same journey with dementia. The project is driven by a broader vision to raise awareness of the condition and the profound impact it has on people, their families, and communities. Not only does the Forget-me-not Chorus provide support for those with dementia, but it also enhances other people’s knowledge and understanding of dementia.
During the visit during the chorus’ end of term celebration, the Commissioner met participants, caregivers, and organisers. They discussed the importance of supporting each other and communities and how the project has an invaluable impact on the community. The Commissioner got to see first-hand how the funding will benefit all people involved.
Katherine Harri from the Forget-me-not Chorus said: “Forget-me-not Chorus believes passionately in the power of song to build community and improve the health and wellbeing of those living with and alongside dementia. Joining together every week in a relaxed and welcoming environment engages, inspires, and energises our choristers and the feel-good factor sustains our Forget-me-not family long after the rehearsal has finished. We are truly grateful for this funding that will support our weekly community choir in Bodelwyddan. Diolch o galon!”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “It was a pleasure to visit the people at Forget-me-not Chorus in Bodelwyddan. It was a pleasure to be able to see and experience how the funding has benefited people with dementia through the help of music. Dementia is a condition that is often misunderstood and that is why supporting communities and safeguarding vulnerable people is extremely important to me as PCC for North Wales”.
PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers commented: “The Forget-me-not Chorus charity recognises the importance of helping vulnerable people and communities and I am pleased we have been able to support it in its valuable and important work. The charity is a positive demonstration of how money seized from criminals can be put to good use in the community”.
North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans commented: “North Wales Police is pleased to help support this project through the Your Community, Your Choice funding. Projects like this do excellent work in our communities to provide assistance to people in need and enable us all to come together in a very worthwhile cause.”
Over the eleven years since Your Community, Your Choice started, almost £600,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.
To learn more about PACT visit: www.pactnorthwales.co.uk
To find out more about the Forget-Me-Not chorus visit: Forget-me-not Chorus | Bringing the joy of singing to people living with dementia (forgetmenotchorus.com)