May 2026 Issue
“What a beautiful place to be!”
Introduction
Thankfully, now that sunshine and blossom are all around, it is not simply Thursday mornings which light up our lives.
A recent visitor who is a dementia specialist, and who had experienced another dementia singing session elsewhere, noted that there was very little Vera Lynn, but summed us up: “this was quite possibly one of the best, if not the best, event for people living with dementia. Everyone danced, everyone had fun. The organisers have done a phenomenal job in bringing together such an incredible event. The use of Zoom makes it accessible to so many people who wouldn’t have access to it. What you’ve achieved is incredible.”
Wellingborough Town Council’s Citizens Award
As Trustees we are eternally grateful to the incomparable volunteer team which continues to contribute to the success of DSO. On a regular basis there are upwards of 20 pairs of helping hands: moving chairs orchestrated by chair guru Alan, coffee makers grinding beans in the kitchen, word dispensers, and general meeters and greeters.
It was then a great honour to be awarded Wellingborough Town Council’s Citizens Award for “outstanding voluntary contribution by local people meeting local needs and making an exceptional difference”.
News from the Trustees
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the dementia community as a whole, we have continued to promote dementia awareness in general. This month volunteers have undertaken manual handling training with Michaela Forty, which provided some basic practical guidance on the do’s and don’ts of attempting to support the movement of those living with dementia, whether that be their rock and roll steps, jiving, stepping into or out of a vehicle, or actually into or out of a seat.
Allied to that, our programme of Dementia Friends sessions led by Sue Greensmith has continued to provide invaluable insights into the best ways in general which we can support those living with dementia.
A recent rendition by one of our visiting groups of the Rolling Stones’ ‘Honky Tonk Women’ left an impression with its enthusiastic Jagger-like pouting lips and strutting. This reminded us that we should consider one of our periodic song list reviews. Whilst acknowledging that by the very nature of dementia familiarity is a priority, and that the recipe of prioritising catchy, not too wordy songs which have repetitive lyrics has served us well for years, we continue to make new suggestions to Gareth about ensuring that our Thursday morning repertoire remains fresh.
Of course, because he is so youthful, he was not really brought up on Jerry Lee Lewis, Matt Monro, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Mary Hopkin or even Suzi Quatro or David Cassidy. The thoughts which we have for further extension of our song catalogue have included planning for a session dedicated to brand new classic songs of the 60s, 70s, 80s and indeed beyond. Of course, if they allow for accompanying dance moves then even better.
We have again been all shaken up recently by our recent guest acts, old favourites Elvis and Roy and the Saracens, with their rock and roll recipe. As the photographic evidence illustrates, both acts brought humour and joy.
Zoom update
As Trustees we have consistently felt that our online Zoom facility is an essential part of the DSO experience, enabling those who cannot attend in person to still gain a flavour of Thursday mornings. We have commented in the past that we have battled technical issues, so we have now invested in a new camera and stand. It not only looks as though it would not have been out of place on NASA’s recent Artemis voyage to the moon, but the initial feedback is that our sound and vision are both enhanced. Our weekly average of 12 Zoom screens has been maintained, and hopefully the experience of the average of 50 people who benefit will be even better.
Weekly Zoom log-in details
Topic: DSO Virtual Choir
Time: this is a recurring link
Join the Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 895 5257 3170
Password: DSO
Volunteer focus: Dominick Brophy
We never tire of stating that our volunteers are the heartbeat of DSO, and in the last couple of newsletters we have provided some background on those who you perhaps only see once a week boogieing around the dance floor, stacking chairs, handing out words or supplying you with tea, coffee and cake. In this edition we provide an insight into Dom.
“I was born in Dublin, the middle of 7 children. In the 1970s I was approved as a foster parent working with young people with disabilities. I have worked in a variety of marketing roles with companies like Terry’s Chocolates and Ross Frozen Food. In 2012 I started my own company supplying greeting cards and high-quality gifts to retailers like Selfridges, Harrods and Fenwicks.
After retiring I took up the ukulele and now play each week in a group with one of our other volunteers, Jacqueline. I play guitar and also pickleball twice a week. I have recently joined Men United 2026, which is part of Northampton Male Voice Choir, where we have raised more than £10,000 for Prostate Cancer. Since joining DSO, Thursday morning is the best day of the week, spending time singing, dancing and laughing with a fabulous group of people.”
And finally: coming up
Dementia Action Week is a national initiative running 19th to 25th May, intended to encourage people to take action to improve the lives of those living with dementia. Sue Greensmith will be returning to run another awareness session with us before our weekly session, and this is open to anyone.
The next visit from the wonderful Admiral Nurses is scheduled for Thursday 21st May. One of our old friends, Simon, who used to visit us with residents when he worked at Duke’s Court in Wellingborough, will be coming to sing and entertain us on Thursday 2nd July.
Nene Valley Rotary are holding a choral extravaganza on Saturday 25th July 2026, 7.00pm until 9.00pm, featuring the Northampton Male Voice Choir. The concert is raising money for local charities including Dementia Sings Out. We would love to get a group of our DSO members and supporters together to watch and support. Tickets are £16 for adults and £12 for under-sixteens. Email us at dementiasingsout@gmail.com to register your interest.
Trustees: Judith, Steve, Baz, Cathie, Ruth, Lucy, Kathryn, Garry
May 2026