Nottinghamshire care home welcomes Vicky McClure’s ‘Dementia Choir’ for uplifting musical event
Residents from across a Nottinghamshire care group came together for a special event celebrating the power of music in dementia care, with a visit from Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir.
Hosted at Church Farm Care’s Rusticus home, the event welcomed residents from across the group’s five homes, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere filled with singing and joy.
The room was brought to life with a series of much-loved classics, including ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Daisy Bell’, ‘Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag’, ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’. The familiar songs sparked moments of nostalgia and connection, with residents enthusiastically joining in – including those living with advanced dementia.
With around one million people currently living with dementia in the UK, according to Alzheimer's Society, initiatives such as this play an important role in supporting wellbeing and quality of life.
The Dementia Choir was originally formed by Nottingham-born actress Vicky McClure as part of the “Our Dementia Choir” documentary for BBC One in 2018. Inspired by her personal experience of caring for her grandmother, Vicky set out to explore the transformative power of music for people living with dementia.
What began as a television project, the choir, made up of people living with dementia, went on to take part in pioneering scientific research, working alongside leading experts to measure the emotional and physical benefits of regular singing sessions. The results demonstrated that music can have a meaningful and measurable impact, reinforcing its role as a powerful therapeutic tool.
Since then, the choir has continued to meet and perform, bringing joy and connection to communities across the country.
For residents at Church Farm Care, the visit provided not only entertainment but a valuable opportunity for expression and social connection. Events like these form an important part of a wider, person-centred approach to care, where emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside clinical support.
Norman Lord, an 80-year-old resident at Church Farm Nursing Home, visited Rusticus for the event. Clapping and singing along to the music, he stated that it was “absolutely fantastic”, while fellow resident, Madeline Mear, aged 88, said: “It has been great to get out as a group and have everyone enjoy a bit of singing. The cakes were great, too!”
Lucy Atkinson, co-owner of Church Farm Care, said: “Welcoming Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir has been a real highlight of the year for our residents. Music is an incredibly powerful tool in dementia care, and seeing our residents singing along and engaging so confidently was a proud and emotional moment for everyone involved. We look forward to welcoming the choir back as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering holistic, person-centred care.”
Church Farm at Rusticus offers both long-term residence and short-term recovery, specialising in dementia and nursing care on the outskirts of Cotgrave.
To find out more about Church Farm Care and its services, visit churchfarmcare.co.uk/.