Camelot House garden is alive to the sound of music

Making the most of the sunshine available between recent autumn showers, a choir made up of residents of Camelot House and Lodge decided to hold their most recent weekly rehearsal in the garden, complete with sunhats, sunscreen and cool drinks to keep their vocal chords lubricated.

Harriet Burraston, who started the choir not long after she joined Camelot House and Lodge as the new activities co-ordinator in March 2025, is a keen advocate for singing as a “happy-making” activity for residents living with dementia, and now has a band of loyal choir-members.

Harriet said: “We all agree that whatever we’re feeling like at the beginning of a choir session, we always feel better by the end of it: singing has such a powerful positive impact on people living with dementia.

“We sing songs that are sure to bring back memories: some from their childhood, such as “We’ll meet again,” “Run rabbit run” and “Somewhere over the rainbow,” as well as favourites from more recent years including hits by Elvis, Sinatra and Abba.

“These songs remind people of episodes from their earlier lives and provide a sense of continuity with their past, helping them feel more like their former selves.

“It is well-established that musical memories tend to be among the last to be lost, because they are long-term, automated memories, less affected by Alzheimer's and dementia than explicit memory.

“And, importantly, the connections made in the brain by music and singing can improve mood, attention - and even speech - in those living with dementia by putting them back in touch with precious memories and emotions.

“The choir members are always telling us how much they enjoy singing together, and they’re really keen to sing as often as they can, so it’s no wonder the choir is going from strength to strength.”

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