A SINGING group for dementia sufferers is being launched in Teesdale.

The Barnard Castle branch of the Alzheimer’s Society has created the Singing for the Brain group for people with dementia and their carers.

The programme aims to provide music therapy to those living with the condition.

Charity staff are looking for volunteers to help with the initiative and will be holding a recruitment stall at Barnard Castle market tomorrow (Wednesday) for anyone interested in taking part.

Chris Colley, the charity’s volunteering officer for Durham and the Tees Valley, said: “Singing for the Brain can help with articulation, concentration, focus and motivation in a social, fun and stimulating environment.

“Hidden in the fun are activities which build on the well-known preserved memory for song and music in the brain.

“Even when many memories are hard to retrieve, music is especially easy to recall.

“The sessions help people with dementia communicate, improving their mood and leaving them feeling good about themselves but we will need volunteers to help things run smoothly.”

The group meets for the first time at Barnard Castle Methodist Church, on Friday, April 25, from 10am to noon.

For information, or to become a volunteer – for which training will be provided – call Chris Colley on 0191-389-0400.