Come Together for a dementia conference like no other

There are not many conferences that feature a conga line, live performances and the voice of David Tennant, but Playlist for Life’s latest gathering, Come Together, successfully staged all three – proving that personal playlists really can be just what the doctor ordered for people living with dementia.
 

 

In March, people with lived experience of dementia, health and social care professionals and community group leaders gathered to share the power of personal playlists in dementia care and support at two conferences hosted by Playlist for Life. Supported by the ScottishPower Foundation and Glasgow Life, the events celebrated the power of music in communities across the UK. One conference was held at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, while the second took place online via Zoom, giving people across the UK the opportunity to attend and discover the benefits of music for people living with dementia.
 

Among the delegates were partners of Playlist for Life, health and social care professionals, emergency service workers, community group leaders, librarians and dementia support group leaders.

Key speakers included Lived Experience Ambassadors Carol Topper and Malcolm Topper, along with Audrey Ross and Willy Gilder who are both living with dementia. They delivered honest and profound talks about how dementia impacts their lives, and how music helps them live well by enabling them to stay active, take part in hobbies and remain connected within their communities.

Members of our ‘Help Point’ community network including North Lanarkshire Libraries and Weekday Wow Factor also took part in panel discussions, sharing how they are using music within their local services. 

Voices of support

Across both events we exclusively revealed two new resources that have been created to support people in creating and listening to personal playlists. These animated videos are voiced by Doctor Who star David Tennant and Willy Gilder, who presented the videos at the in-person conference. 

The events featured several live performances, including a personalised sing‑along with musician Gus Harrower, who performed songs that held special meaning for many delegates. These included In My Life by The Beatles, Dancing Queen by ABBA and Shang‑a‑Lang by The Bay City Rollers – tunes that had everyone on their feet and joining a conga line at the in‑person event.

At the online conference, singer‑songwriter Kathryn Williams gave a moving performance of her song This Mystery, written about her dad, who lives with Parkinson’s and dementia.

A powerful celebration of music and dementia

Inspiring, emotive and full of joy, these conferences provided a powerful platform for people to share their lived experience of dementia, the role music has played in their journey, and how Playlist for Life resources have improved their wellbeing. We also facilitated a ‘pass-the-mic’ session where attendees shared the varied and inspired ways they are using personal music and Playlist for Life resources. 

Gerry King – a dementia activist and co-founder of STAND, a Playlist for Life Help Point – opened the online conference by sharing a poem he wrote about the impact of personal playlists. Read aloud during his talk, the poem captured his feelings about the power of playlists and set the tone for the online conference. You can read it at the bottom of this page. 

Thank you to the following people and organisations for their support and participation in these events: 

ScottishPower Foundation; Glasgow Life; Carol Topper; Malcolm Topper; Audrey Ross; Willy Gilder; Gus Harrower; Gerry King, Kathryn Williams;  Dementia Friendly Prestwick; North Lanarkshire Libraries;  Dunfermline Abbey Heart for Art;  Dementia in Action Tameside; Leicester Musical Memory Box; and Weekday Wow Factor.