Volunteer musicians sought to work with the elderly across Bournemouth and Poole


Coda’s award-winning work with older people in residential care is entering a new phase of development and the charity is looking for volunteer amateur musicians and singers to work with them and to perform in care homes across the local area.

When supporting and caring for the elderly and those with dementia, music has been shown to have a dramatic effect with soothing, stimulating and bringing to mind long-forgotten memories. In individuals who can no longer talk, music can become an avenue for communication and engagement.

The power of music, especially singing, to unlock memories is an increasingly key feature of dementia care, reaching parts of the brain in ways other forms of communication cannot.

Coda recently received an ‘Arts and Health South West’ award for its ‘Dementia Notes’ work, which delivered an inspirational programme of activities across Bournemouth and Poole, using music to address the health and wellbeing of older people in care, including many with dementia.

If you are interested in joining the programme as a musician and/or singer and to perform as part of a group in local care homes, please contact Coda Music Trust by emailing Phil Hallett directly phil.hallett@coda.org.uk or call the charity on 01425 276161.

Coda uses music as a tool for personal and social change, believing in the power of music to transform lives. Unique to the area, it provides a range of music opportunities to people of all ages and abilities, with facilities dedicated to teaching, music groups, choirs, workshops, training, music therapy and music for health and wellbeing.

Coda Music Trust is based at Coda Music Centre in Christchurch.