Play your part in dementia project

A group looking to help residents with dementia through the power of music are looking for volunteers.

Soroptimist International Perth and AK Bell Library have set up a help point in the library for the Playlist for Life charity.

Playlist for Life aims to help people with dementia by listening to songs that mean a lot to them personally and help them to reflect.

However, more people are now needed to help run the facility.

A spokesperson for the local project said: “Playlist for Life was formed by Sally Magnusson in 2013 and is aimed at educating and enabling families to communicate with relatives who have dementia by using the music of a person’s life to keep them connected with themselves and their loved ones.

“AK Bell Library, in partnership with Soroptimist International Perth, has started a Playlist for Life help point on the third Thursday of every month from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.

“The help point is there to help families and friends of people with dementia create a playlist of musical memories which can help transform the lives of both the person living with dementia and their carers by evoking memories, prompting conversation and strengthening relationships, improving mood and awareness, grounding people and restoring their sense of self if confused.”

The next session will be held on Thursday, October 17 where residents can get help with selecting and downloading music to create a playlist.

Volunteers need to be able to deal with dementia and have basic computer skills, for example the ability to download music onto a device.

Those interested are asked to contact Sandra Birse, AK Bell Library’s supervisor, on 01738 477038 or sdbirse@culturepk.org.uk