12 September 2018
The Life Changes Trust and the Baring Foundation invite bids to establish and resource a Dementia Inclusive Choir Network in Scotland. We are also inviting bids for the evaluation of this Dementia Inclusive Choir Network. The tender document for the Network is also on Public Contracts Scotland.
The Life Changes Trust and the Baring Foundation have funded a number of projects that enable older people and people with dementia to participate in the arts. These projects challenge assumptions and stereotypes, address discrimination and provide an opportunity for people to thrive in later life.
Examples of projects funded:
– Orchestras Live (Baring Foundation)
– Luminate (Baring Foundation)
– A Choir in Every Care Home (Baring Foundation)
– Time to Dance – Scottish Ballet (Life Changes Trust)
– Arora Bilingual Arts-based Dementia Friendly Community, Western Isles (Life Changes Trust)
– Heart for Art (Life Changes Trust)
Following a period of scoping work and conversations with people living with dementia and their families, the Trust and the Baring Foundation have decided that there would be real benefit in funding a choir network in Scotland. This network would be made up of existing and new choirs that include people with dementia and their families rather than exclude them.
What are the potential benefits of an inclusive choir for people with dementia?
Based on research evidence to date, benefits could include enhanced mental well-being, decreased depression, increased participation in community singing, improved quality of life and social and emotional wellbeing, fun, friendship, feeling happier, feeling worthwhile and valued, increased confidence and a sense of belonging and being able to forget about dementia for a while as well as a sense of pride in the shared identity of the group and its achievements.
Why a network?
There are already a number of excellent choirs in Scotland that include people with dementia and their families/friends. Some operate quite happily without feeling the need to be connected to other choirs. Others would appreciate being connected to share learning, put on joint performances or just for support and camaraderie.
A network that is overseen by an organisation or group of organisations can help with sharing resources and ideas, linking up newer choirs with more experienced choirs so they can be mentored, holding a database of dementia inclusive choirs in an area providing opportunities for training and development, increasing the public profile of dementia inclusive choirs and create opportunities for the abilities of people with dementia to be recognised and celebrated.
What kind of choirs could join the network and does the choir need to be established already?
This network is for pre-existing choirs and for new choirs. The choirs can meet in any environment but we are keen that they are community choirs in the sense that they help people with dementia sing alongside people who do not have dementia. Ideally they will be multi-generational.
Evaluation
We want this project to be evaluated ‘from Day 1’ so that its entire journey can be captured and early evaluation learning can inform its ongoing development. We welcome bids from evaluators who have had prior experience of evaluating arts-based projects and who can also demonstrate a good understanding of what it is like to live with dementia, what it is like to be a carer or family members of a person living with dementia and knowledge of assets-based community development approaches.
– Deadline for bids to establish and resource the network:
Friday 16 November 2018 at 4pm. Bids can be from an organisation or groups of organisations. Please read our guidance document on establishing and resourcing the choir network for full details and information on how to apply.
– Deadline for bids for the evaluation of the network:
Also Friday 16 November 2018 at 4pm. Please read our guidance document on the evaluation of the choir network for full details and information on how to apply.
If you have any questions you can email Andrena Coburn: andrena.coburn@lifechangestrust.org.uk
Photo: Live Music Now, a choir in care home session, South London.