DUP deputy leader leads initiative for a new choir for those with dementia

An initiative to create a new choir for those suffering from dementia and their carers is being led by the deputy leader of the DUP.

Paula Bradley stepped down from the Stormont Assembly last year in order to care for her elderly mother and father.

She since returned as an elected representative on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council, where she is now spearheading the Forget Me Not choir.

Ms Bradley said the idea was first mooted when the current mayor Stephen Ross took up post last June.

She said she is looking forward to taking part along with her mother Charlotte.

“The mayor had Alzheimer’s NI in for a visit, and intended for our council to become a dementia friendly council,” she told the PA news agency.

“Following on from that, there were conversations about what more could we do to be a bit more inclusive as a council, and for our services to be used by more people.

“We came up with this wonderful idea of a choir called the Forget Me Nots.”

Ms Bradley said music was very important to her family as she grew up.

“As a child growing up, my mother was constantly singing, we woke up in the morning to my mum singing, and I still get up in the morning to my mum singing, I can hear her singing in bed, she sings all day, so that’s something that stays for a very long time,” she said.

“We hope that the practices will take place at our courtyard theatre in Ballyearl.

“Any families that want to join the choir can do so, I could come along and join, but if I wanted to get a break for half an hour or an hour, we’re going to have one of the rooms with tea and coffee are available, where people can go and sit, read a book, get their head showered, have a chat with someone else who is maybe going through the same thing.

“We have also decided to make our gym at Ballyearl free of charge for those family members coming along to support each other.

“It’s about giving something back to the community, such as my mum who worked for 30 something years for the Northern Health Trust as a social worker, and did her bit.”

Her mother Charlotte Meaney agreed: “we’re always singing”, with gospel and traditional music among her favourites, as her daughter recalled taking singing lessons from the age of five, and later singing in the RUC Ladies Choir.

“It’s a good way of meeting people, hearing about their problems, I think it’s a great thing, I’m wholeheartedly behind it, get everyone talking,” Mrs Meaney said.

The concept of the choir was passed by a council committee last month, and they hope to have it up and running by March.

Ms Bradley added: “We’re going to need the likes of a conductor and a pianist – you never know, there might be family members who are bringing their loved ones along who have those skills. We’ll utilise any skill anybody has.

“We have a wonderful arts offer here within Antrim and Newtownabbey, we have three theatres so why not utilise those theatres so why not put people like my mum – and me maybe as well – on the stage.

“I think people will enjoy taking part, and listening to this as well.”

Ms Bradley said it has been challenging for her mother not being able to drive anymore, and described the social side of it as key.

“We’re going to have a wee bit of fun, but it has meaning behind it as well,” she added.

“Getting to talk to other carers, sharing knowledge, I think that’s a big part of it.

“Whenever we looked at this idea, it was not just to support the sufferer but the carer too, they are so often forgotten about.

“As someone who is a councillor and someone who is living with dementia on a daily basis, I just thought what can I do to help other people in my position, and other people in mum’s position.”

Once the choir is up and running, it is intended the council will be able to invite the singers along to perform at a number of its events.