On Friday 20th September, residents from MSV’s Khubsuret House and members of the local community took the stage at the renowned Bridgewater Hall for the Dementia Festival.
The performance featured music from the Music in Mind programme specifically designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers, and was a celebration of the power of music to improve well-being.
The Music in Mind programme, led by Manchester Camerata, CCG Adult Care Rochdale, Rochdale and District Mind in partnership with MSV Housing began as a 10-week initiative that ended up running for a full year at Khubsuret House.
Through weekly sing-alongs and improvisation sessions, the project brought the community together, celebrating cultural diversity. The performance at Bridgewater Hall, a collaborative effort composed by the group itself, was a beautiful showcase of their talents and featured songs in six languages.
Holly Marland of Manchester Camerata said: "It was a pleasure to work with the very diverse music group at MSV's Khubsuret House and to introduce them to two fantastic guest musicians - Sanja Cin from Bosnia and Mina Salama from Egypt. As well as writing new music together, we had fun exploring different sounds and rhythms and you could see how participants gained in their confidence to try new things and also to share their songs and stories with the group. The trip to the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester was a first for many of the group members and the response to their performance on the main stage of one of Manchester’s most important cultural venues was absolutely epic. My sincere thanks to everyone for an unforgettable time together."
Salma Chaudri, scheme coordinator at Khubsuret House said, "It’s been an outstanding project! We've seen new connections form and lots of laughter. This is more than just music; it's a lifeline. Thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment we enjoyed watching this project come to life and evolve into an inclusive and diverse showpiece.”
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful project.
If you're interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact Salma.Chaudri@msvhousing.co.uk
