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  4. ‘What I want to do is get half a dozen of them and go and see Simon Cowell’: Reflecting on participation and outcomes for people with dementia taking part in a creative musical project

‘What I want to do is get half a dozen of them and go and see Simon Cowell’: Reflecting on participation and outcomes for people with dementia taking part in a creative musical project

This paper presents the findings from an evaluation of a creative musical project led by Scottish Opera. The project included people with dementia and their carers in the development, writing, design and performance of a musical production about their experiences of love. The project involved professional singers, artists and choreographers from the opera company. Activities involved practice sessions and performances. People with dementia and their carers reflected on positive outcomes from the project including improved confidence; being part of a group; improved physical strength and people seeing them in a new way. Within the evaluation framework they also reported on how the project had been run and gave ideas for future development. Key elements in the success of this project were the involvement of professionals, the kudos of working with a national organisation and the performances that, while daunting, provided unique and rewarding experiences.

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Additional Titles
Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice

Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
ISBN/ISSN
1471-3012
Resource Database
Social care online
Publication Year
2015
Issue Number
6
Volume Number
14
Start Page
734-750