The heart and soul of the groups are the singers, but volunteers are vital, whether as musical leaders or as social support.\u00a0 Success depends on a high ratio of volunteers to participants and the workload is relatively light and certainly enjoyable.<\/p>\n
Social support<\/span> is provided by people with training in dementia awareness.\u00a0 Practical tasks for these volunteers include:\u00a0 setting out chairs, welcoming singers, making and giving out name-labels, social support, organising refreshments, photocopying songsheets, taking charge of songbooks between sessions, ringing in advance to remind singers and other volunteers.<\/p>\n Music leaders<\/span> need a knowledge and understanding of dementia.\u00a0 Music therapy skills are ideal, but certainly not essential.\u00a0 Practical tasks include:\u00a0 choosing music and devising the neuro-rehab exercises, leading warm-ups, accompanying or organising accompaniment of the songs, producing clearly-written word sheets. A friendly, non-condescending manner is essential to build a trusting and cohesive group.<\/p>\n \u2018Apprenticeship\u2019 training<\/span> for new volunteers is provided with existing groups.<\/p>\n