ALZHEIMER’S Society’s Singing for the Brain group brings people together affected by Alzheimers so they are surrounded by a caring community, one group is located in Monmouth.

They have different locations including Abergavenny in the Holy Trinity Church Hall, and Monmouth at The Bridges Community Centre. The groups takes place every Thursday.

One in three people today will develop dementia in their life but the Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain groups brings together people affected by dementia to meet in a friendly and supportive environment.

The group supports various people affected by dementia through songs. This helps to reduce social isolation, improve quality and people’s well being.

“Music and speech are based in various parts of the brain so sometimes getting into that part of the brain and helping people to use it for their enjoyment is really important, said one volunteer at the group.

“In most of the sessions it’s devoted to learning new songs because you can create new mural pathways with music. Some songs we learn are quite complicated, the new songs we repeat over and over again.

“We have the same new songs for a month, and the first session people are struggling and by the end of the month you would be absolutely amazed with how much they have achieved.

In the sessions they don’t have a piece of music in front of them, they just pick up the words as each session progresses leading to finally learning the words.

In the UK there are around a million people with dementia, including an estimate of 50,000 people in Wales, and 1,900 in Monmouthshire.

Music can be very beneficial for people who suffer with dementia as it helps support communication, enhance people’s mood and behaviour.

There has been research which suggests music has the potential to help minimise certain behaviours in dementia, like agitation, vocalisations and aggression.

A lot of people who suffer with dementia are still able to sing and enjoy music even when they start to lose their linguistic abilities. Research suggests musical memory can be maintained, even when other memories are lost.

“We want to give everyone a voice, said a volunteer at the group.

One of the carers at the group said: “It’s fun, it’s relaxed and light it becomes a real and group and there’s a sense of atmosphere, said one of the carers at the group.

“My husband is very happy to come to the group and he really enjoys it. When we go we feel brighter, I'm a supporter and I'm enjoying it as well.

The groups are a great way to get people together who suffer from dementia, allow them to immerse themselves into a supportive community and participate in something fun for an hour.

“By the time you leave you will feel much better,” said another participant.

You can help support by donating, volunteering or becoming a Dementia Friend at alzheimers.org.uk.