Interest in singing groups for people living with dementia has soared in Somerset thanks to a moving two-part documentary fronted by TV star Vicky McClure, says Alzheimer’s Society.

Following the final episode of the BBC One show ‘Our Dementia Choir Sings Again’, the charity has recorded a marked increase in enquiries about its popular Singing for the Brain service (found inTimsbury, Bath and Keynsham).

In the programme Vicky, an Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, shines a light on the connection between music and memory and how participation in singing groups can benefit people living with dementia.

Since the first of the two episodes was aired on October 10th, sign-ups from organisations and individuals interested in becoming a Singing for the Brain delivery partner have almost trebled.

Singing for the Brain is an uplifting and stimulating group activity, built around familiar and new songs, with fun vocal warm-ups. There are already more than 250 Alzheimer’s Society and delivery partner-run groups in the UK, including 37 groups set up across the South West, but Alzheimer’s Society wants more people in Somerset to benefit.

The charity has created bespoke training to care providers, organisations or individuals across the UK, with an interest in music, to run their own group and become a Singing for the Brain delivery partner. They will provide partners with the support and resources to successfully do this.