"Music can unlock the mind" was Pam Winters' delighted comment after taking part in a Bournemouth University project alongside her husband Richard, who has dementia.
The project in question was the BUDI (Bournemouth University Dementia Institute) Orchestra. Set up at the beginning of 2014, the orchestra was established by researchers from BUDI to work with people with dementia and their families, in collaboration with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchesta and music students from the University.
The aim was to provide an immediate source of support and therapy for those living with dementia, whilst at the same time allowing researchers from BUDI an opportunity to challenge the perception that people with dementia are unable to learn new skills.
This emphasis on learning new skills which would enable the orchestra to work towards a public concert at the end of the 10 week project, is what marked it out from so many of the popular singing groups already established in the area.
The video below explains the process leading up to the BUDI Orchestra concert held in June 2014 as part of Bournemouth University's Festival of Learning.
The undoubted success of the project will hopefully open the doors to further research and innovation.
One year on from their first concert, the BUDI orchestra has continued its success by performing a Christmas concert and at a local event. Professor Anthea Innes, Director of BUDI, hopes that the project will go from strength to strength. Commenting in an interview with The Guardian, she explains:
“This project was a ‘proof of concept’ study, and because we have gained such positive results, we’re excited about what this could mean for people with dementia in the future,” she says. “We have many new ideas in the pipeline as a result of this, although they are all dependent on funding.”
To read the article in The Guardian 22/6/15 in full, click on the link here :
Breakthroughs in Bournemouth: how the BSO is providing relief for people with dementia
