36 | THE VOICE MAY 2023
Midlands News
By Veron Graham
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Vocalist Sofie Anné, centre, with Nant’s Richard Deakin and Miss Beth Belle (photo: Jonathan Hipkiss)
Dementia Aid puts heart and soul into campaign
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HE CLASSIC sounds of vintage soul and Motown have been harnessed in the battle against dementia in an unlikely arrangement between a water company and theatre venue in the Black Country. In signing on as headline sponsor of the Memory Cafes and Care Home Tour, organised by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, water safety specialists Nant Ltd are playing a key role in tackling the degenerative condition. Having supplemented the theatre’s efforts over the last four years to leverage the remedial qualities of arts in offering a series of dementia-friendly services, Nant will now also support its 2023 Tour, fully funding
Singer Sofie Anné raising awareness of the condition the musical provision for the care homes. The tour has added rising vocalist Sofie Anné to its roster to perform soul and Motown classics, helping to spark memories among the residents, including those with dementia, ideally to deliver behavioural, emotional and cognitive benefits amongst the ailing listeners, who will also be treated to early 20th century classics sung by Miss Beth Belle. Nant’s Technical Director Richard Deakin said: “Everyone at Nant is committed to supporting people with demen-
tia, not just through our work in care homes but in the personal reward we all get from helping to improve the lives of those living with this terrible condition and their families, so we have been delighted to support the Grand Theatre’s Memory Cafe Tour throughout 2022 and continue the tour into 2023. “Seeing so many audiences entertained, especially those living with dementia, has made our support worthwhile as we know the difference these performances make for audiences at care and residential homes, helping
with memory, speech and communication skills. We support a variety of good causes around dementia, including taking part in sponsored challenges for Dementia UK, because we recognise the importance of their work and are pleased to offer our support.” Remy Lloyd, Outreach Manager for Access & Inclusion at the Grand Theatre, added: “We are grateful to Nant for their support and look forward to continuing the events in 2023. “The Memory Café Tour has provided much valued entertainment and vital health benefits for those living with dementia and their families and carers. The music and song provide a relaxing and enjoyable environment, which has led to tremen-
dous feedback from audiences across the region. “Thanks to Nant we have been able to deliver hugely beneficial performances in care and residential homes this year.” Nant Ltd provides water safety services and products for cross sector clients, including care homes, across the UK. It also fundraises and supports local causes as part of its drive to give back to the community where it has been based for more than 25 years. Last year, it won the Tech & Innovation Award at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards and has received commendations in the small business and commitment to the community categories. Previously, the monthly
Memory Cafés, held at the Grand Theatre with live music and entertainment, provided many benefits for those living with dementia, helping to improve general attention, cognition, memory, speech and communication skills and has shown to help reduce agitation and depression. Throughout the lockdown of 2020, the Memory Café’s continued online with filmed content being streamed digitally to care homes across the Midlands. Dementia has become one of the most important health and care issues facing the world. In the UK, the number of people with dementia is estimated at around 944,000 and worldwide cases are set to triple by 2050.
