Local care home’s dementia-friendly choir warms up for a big concert

Home news

Dec 21, 2020

A care home in Sutton Coldfield has formed a very special choir.  

The dementia-friendly choir at Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, is warming up ahead of their Christmas concert.

Held on Christmas Eve, the performance will be accompanied by resident Sheila Loman, an accomplished pianist. She shares her love of piano with her brother Stanley, who used to work as a cruise ship entertainer, and started taking lessons from a young age. She also used to play at her local church.

Made of residents and team members, the choir has been practicing weekly, and has already hosted a rehearsal performance.

Sheila said: “I was so happy to hear there was a choir at Mercia Grange. We all practice every week and have been focusing on Christmas carols for everyone to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

“I love music, it’s always a pleasure and never a chore, and I hope to continue playing for many years to come.”

Thomas Bampfield, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “Singing has many benefits, especially for those living with dementia, as it can improve wellbeing, confidence and provide an opportunity to form new friendships.

“Residents at Mercia Grange, especially Sheila, absolutely love participating in the choir – it’s a highlight of their week. Our rehearsal performance was a huge success, and we’re now looking forward to the big day. We hope to be able to go out and perform in the community very soon!”

Mercia Grange is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia, and short-term respite care. The three-storey care home, which features 67 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To find out more about Mercia Grange, please call Customer Relations Manager, Rachel Mackay, on 0121 314 3196, or email rachel.mackay@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/mercia-grange