IN an airy church hall in York, a choir is being put through its paces.

“If you weren’t good, I wouldn’t be so picky,” teacher Ruth McCartney says, having chided members over enunciation and posture, “Now, this is a tricky song but I think you’re ready for it”.

Her tactics are working: the beaming choir is note perfect, and singing with such enthusiasm they can be heard in the car park of Lidgett Grove church hall.

The Vocal Flourish choir is starting to become well known. Earlier this year, the choir - which is mainly made up of people living with dementia - was given a standing ovation at a concert at York Barbican.

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Its success is a triumph for its members as well as for its founder, former psychiatric nurse Emily Abbott, who has set up projects across York to show that people with dementia can achieve new things and have fulfilling lives.

“I wanted to prove a point about what people with dementia can do,” Emily said, “I wanted to create an opportunity for people with dementia to work at something and have the satisfaction of getting better at something.

“Lots of people have to give up their interests because of dementia, they find they can’t do them because of really basic things like getting there.

“Half of people with dementia in the city live alone and might struggle with getting from A to B because they can’t manage time or money or they can’t find their way.”

There are 2700 people in York living with dementia and there is real concern that many do not access any kind of support services. On top of this, York is falling far below national targets for recording dementia.

Two thirds of people living with dementia in York live in the community and about 900 are living on their own. It is for these people that isolation and loneliness can really become an issue, with the Alzheimer’s Society reporting that over half of people with the condition are no longer taking part in any, or hardly any, social activities.

The social inclusion of the choir is welcomed by Ann Atkinson, 76, who is leading the singing with a wide smile. Ann explains that music has always been part of her life. Her son was a Minster chorister and Ann played the piano for her daughter’s dance classes.

“I have always loved music”, Ann said adding that she looked forward to choir every week, “I think people realise how much they need company and it’s nice to meet people with the same interests.”

Another longstanding member is St John Unwin, 78, who had previously accompanied his wife Maureen, 77, to the choir.

Having cared for his wife since her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2004, St John was cajoled into returning to the choir after Maureen moved into a care home last year.

“Initially we were in denial and doing normal things for a year or two,” St John remembered about his wife’s diagnosis, “Then it kicked in and we found we would like to get to know people involved in similar things.

“It’s the rhythm, the music is an inspiration, it cheers you up. My wife was always tapping her feet, I remember Ruth saying ‘I’m glad you’re here because you’re keeping us in time.”

Vocal Flourish is a charity which runs various projects in York, including two gardening projects for people with dementia and accessible choirs based in Acomb and Burnholme. It doesn’t receive any council or NHS funding and exists on grants, so far receiving notable support from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

It’s from this funding, the groups is able to run and to offer subsidised taxis to get members to and from the group.

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The musical director Ruth said she will continue to push the choir as the health and wellbeing benefits ofthe choir are immeasurable. Singing in parts, and learning new songs are a challenge for the brain, she said.

For Ruth, her work has personal significance. Her mother had dementia and suffered from a tremor in her tongue which Ruth found that singing lessons cured.

She sees the difference it makes all the time, describing one woman who had sung all her life, and used to be able to sing high notes, but thought she would never be able to again until she joined the choir. “She said ‘this has changed everything,’” Ruth said.

“Everybody here has a contribution and it’s not always the people who have dementia who need the most vocal tuition” she said, “Everybody is treated in the same way.”

After choir practice ends, the group retires to the bunting lined main hall for bacon sandwiches. Rita Pickering, 75, said singing has eased her breathing problems caused by emphysema. “It’s kept me clear of chest infections,” Rita, from Acomb said.

She said, “My daughter works in mental health and told me about the choir at Lidgett Grove and I have come ever since. I like coming and I enjoy the singing part of it.”

Rita, who has Alzheimer’s Disease, said she’s still on a high from the choir’s performance at York Barbican earlier this year. “We got a standing ovation, it was amazing.”

- Vocal Florish choirs are run at Burnholme Social Club on Mondays from 11am to 1pm and at Lidgett Grove Methodist Church, Wheatlands Grove, on Fridays 11am to 1pm. In the future the choirs are opening to anyone who wants to join them, not just people affected by dementia. For more information, email info@yorkflourish.org or call Emily on 07905 117108.

- HEALTHWATCH York is asking people with dementia and their families and friends to share their experiences.

It is asking people to complete a survey about their experiences including getting a diagnosis, transport and how dementia friendly York is.

Siân Balsom, manager of Healthwatch York, said “There is nothing more powerful to bring about change than peoples’ stories. There are a number of issues we need to address locally, and your words can help bring these issues to life.

“For example, in the Vale of York we are falling short of the national target of 67 per cent for recording dementia diagnosis. We miss this target by 13 per cent. Our conversations with people with dementia have highlighted the benefits of early diagnosis, especially when properly supported with good information and advice. They have also flagged up how varied people’s experiences are. We want to hear much more, to make sure we celebrate the good work that’s going on as well as dealing with the bad.”

You can fill out a survey by going to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dementiainYork or please contact Healthwatch York on 01904 621133 to request a paper copy.