Several Colney Heath residents who live with dementia recently participated in a Christmas carol service which had been put together by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The locals were joined at St Mark's Church by people from several other parts of Hertfordshire. The Society has singing groups in Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, Bushey, Potter’s Bar, St Albans and Wheathampstead.
More than 150 people from the various towns sang together in the church. If St Mark’s is to be the venue for a similar event in 2014, organisers could use full colour printing in Watford for advertising purposes.
Alice Davies, a representative of the charity, said:
“It was absolutely fantastic to see so many people with dementia and carers coming together and celebrating Christmas in style.
“Everyone really got into the singing and the atmosphere was incredible. Having members of the BBC Concert Orchestra there to provide the backing music was an extra treat.”
The programme was made up of traditional Christmas music, including classics like Jingle Bells, White Christmas and O Come All Ye Faithful. The evening was the biggest event of its kind in the history of the Alzheimer’s Society.
The event was headed by Jill Dean, who was tasked with providing leadership for the singing project. Ms Dean was assisted in her role by a number of volunteers and staff from other sections of the charity.
Singing has been recognised as an activity which can contribute to the health of individuals who are living with dementia.
