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care home who now prescribe Playlist for Life as part of medical care. The Care Inspectorate also recently announced its backing for the charity.

When Mamie Baird Magnusson developed dementia, Sally and her sisters discovered that no matter how lost their mother became in the disease, they could still reach her with the songs and music that had been part of their family life together. “Singing with my mother kept her in touch with us, and with herself,” explains Sally.

“It seemed to tap into something deep in her identity. After she died, I wanted to tell other families about this – I wanted them to know that amid the darkness and the difficulty, there was something that could help.”

After Mamie died, Sally discovered Music and Memory, an American charity which was already delivering personal music on iPods to people in care homes with positive results.

Realising no-one was doing anything similar in the UK, Sally set up Playlist for Life.

The charity’s chief executive Sarah Metcalfe explains: “Sally learned a secret when caring for her mum for 12 years: personal music can help people living with dementia. The research proves it but no-one in the UK was telling families. Until, that is, Sally set up Playlist for Life.

“Sally’s dedication to family, her warmth and generosity come through in all her dealings with those affected by dementia. She is an inspiration.”

Sally adds: “I am very surprised and immensely honoured to be nominated for SWOTY. It has been very thrilling and heartening to see the response we have had to Playlist for Life.

“I love the idea I have been able to plant a seed which is starting to take root in all kinds of gardens, all over the country. I think my mum would have been proud.”