Dr Charles Lawrence is a former Head of Science at Oakham School and during his career was involved in organising student visits to elderly residents in Rutland as part of the school’s Community Service programme. In his own retirement he decided to continue his visits during school holidays, and this led to the launch of Rutland Reminders – a group using singing as therapy for people with dementia.
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Rutland Reminders WORDS: AMANDER MEADE PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN
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OTICING over the years more and more people affected by dementia, Dr Lawrence was fascinated by a TV programme he saw explaining how music therapy could be used to engage with those affected. “I had a bit of a lightbulb moment and decided that my New Year’s resolution in 2010 would be to launch a group to explore the benefits of singing as therapy, and the concept for Rutland Reminders was born.” Dr Lawrence faced three challenges: the first to secure volunteers to help; the second to raise money; and the third to find a suitable venue for the music sessions. With a sufficient number of “arms twisted”, an AGM was held in June 2010, with the first session of the Rutland Reminders taking place at the beginning of September. From that first session, which involved residents of the Rutland Care Village, word spread quickly throughout the county, and Dr Lawrence and the team now entertain anything between 30 and 60 guests at each session. “We have a transport contingency fund, which we use to pay for taxis and minibuses to bring people from their door to ours at no cost to themselves. The Rutland Lions are also kind enough to offer three drivers who volunteer to bring guests along too.” Typically one regular session per month takes place in Oakham as well as an outreach session at Aberdeen House Residential Home in Uppingham, with plans to expand that service to include more destinations in villages across the county. Guests with dementia, their carers and Reminders volunteers sing for about 40 minutes, followed by refreshments and poetry then another round of singing, and culminating in afternoon tea. “A songbook has been created by our Senior Leader, Clare Hitchcox and her team. We use songs from the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s – often themed around the seasons, holidays, and times of the day or the seaside 10
RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING MAY 2018
for example. We also use a special memory box containing goods and souvenirs that are carefully chosen to trigger responses. Our guests can join in and sing, or they may not – the point is to try and find a moment of engagement, even if it is just a smile. There is such empathy between our volunteers and guests as well as an opportunity for mutual support between carers, which is invaluable. We have witnessed many moving moments when one of our guests has responded to a song in a way they may not have done for many years, and that is very special indeed.” Thanks to a donation from the Rutland Lions, a CD of songs has been recorded by the Rutland Reminders group and is available to buy to help with funding. Monday 21 to Sunday 27 May is Dementia Awareness Week, which will find Dr Lawrence speaking on the radio about the work of the group as well as fundraising in Tesco in Oakham and on Uppingham Market. “There are several special events throughout the year including a Strawberry Tea in July and in September a visit from Emma Warren, who brings memorabilia from Oakham Museum – this is always a great afternoon and gets a big response.” Dr Lawrence has been visiting the elderly for over 30 years now and he says that the work of the Rutland Reminders is one of the most gratifying things he has been involved with. “Modern medicine is adding years to our lives but not necessarily lives to our years, so, when people say the service is appreciated, that brings me a great deal of joy.” Find out more about the Rutland Reminders at rutlandreminders.org. uk or call Diana Ellard on 07779 413889. See also www.facebook.com/ rutlandreminders or twitter.com/rutlandreminders.