Five groups receive singing grants

Five singing projects around Scotland have received grants from Luminate in the latest Dementia Inclusive Singing Network small grants funding round. 

The successful recipients are: 

Eric’s Encore, The Eric Liddell Community, Edinburgh 

The grant will be used to re-start a much sought-after dementia inclusive singing group at the Eric Liddell Community Hub in South Edinburgh and help to further develop a wider programme of dementia friendly activities.  

Nomad Beat, Peebles 

Nomad Beat is a community music school that specialises in accessible music tuition and therapeutic musical outreach. Nomad Beat, in partnership with Dementia-Friendly Tweeddale, will use their grant to launch Recollective, a new weekly choir for people living with dementia and their carers.  

Shalder Shanty Singers, Shetland 

The Shalder Singers draw members from across Shetland. In a region where one couple travels more than 100 miles (and two ferries) to attend sessions, this grant will support volunteers working with isolated crewmembers, and give them the chance to lead shanties. 

Next February, the Shalder singers will mark their first anniversary with a fundraiser to raise awareness of the power of singing sea shanties. They are also planning a sea shanty concert to coincide with The Tall Ships Race that returns to Shetland in July 2023. 

Alzheimer Scotland Fife & Borders
This grant will support the launch of a new singing group for people living with dementia and their carers. Based in Galashiels, the new fortnightly group will offer meaningful and therapeutic music activities, while also reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness for people, making a huge difference for people living locally with a dementia diagnosis.  

Musical Minds, Inverclyde 

With the support of Clydeside Singers,  Greigarious Community Arts and Singing (CAS) has for more than 12 years witnessed the profound effect that music and singing has on those living with dementia. The grant will help the Musical Minds Inverclyde project continue to bring music and joy back into the lives of as many members of the community as they can.