Travel These Ways and Keep Singing!

Mon, 14th Dec 2020

We’re delighted to be working with award-winning musician Karine Polwart, as well as choir and songleaders in Scotland to create a unique national singing experience for people living with dementia and their family, friends and carers.  

Whilst choir and singing groups are still unable to meet, Travel These Ways: Songs to sing at home is a resource that encourages as many people as possible to bring the joy of singing into their homes.

The resource introduces two new songs written especially for this project by Karine Polwart and two medleys of well-known songs. It is available both online here and in print here, and includes the lyrics, backing tracks and films featuring choir and songleaders who guide participants through learning the songs as they would leading an in-person singing group.

“We know that far too many people living with dementia are experiencing social isolation at the moment and group activities which enabled connection and joy, like singing in choirs, are still not possible”, said choir leader Stephen Deazley.  “Many of us have managed to have positive experiences singing with others in online sessions, but this can be harder for those living with dementia and the driving force behind this project is to reach those people.  

“We hope the physical, printed song booklet, combined with the backing tracks and DVD films of musicians guiding people through each song will help bring some of the magic, intimacy and joy of singing with others.” 

In 2021 there will be the opportunity for people who have enjoyed the songs to come together online and sing them in a dementia-inclusive digital community singing event. 

Travel These Ways: Songs to sing at home is available online here.  

You can order a printed copy of the resource here.  

This project is produced by the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network, a programme run by Luminate and funded by the Life Changes Trust and the Baring Foundation to help people affected by dementia take part in choirs and singing groups nationwide.   The Network is run in partnership with Making Music, Scottish Care and Age Scotland, and is supported by a working group of eight choir and song leaders with experience of leading inclusive singing groups who have been integral to the development of Travel These Ways.