Musicians tune up for the return of Lost Chord concerts

For more than 20 years, Lost Chord has been providing vital interactive musical sessions for people living with dementia in care homes and day centres across Yorkshire and nationally.

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic meant live events had to be cancelled, the Lost Chord team of professional musicians were determined that the music would play on, taking their performances online for sessions via computers, laptops and tablets.

But as restrictions ease and care homes begin to welcome visitors again, Lost Chord already has seven outdoor events booked for South Yorkshire care homes that will accommodate the musicians in their gardens.

And the first indoor session will be held at the end of May at the Wesley Centre in Maltby for Making Space, the organisation for people with dementia and their carers in the community.

A first session will also be held in one of the charity’s London homes at the end of May.

Lost Chord founder and chief executive Helena Muller said: “We have waited so long to be able to bring live music back to the people who need it most and we are all very excited that our sessions can begin once more.

“In order for both indoor and outdoor events to go ahead, all our musicians will have had at least one vaccination and a Covid-19 lateral flow test, with the result registered on the NHS website so those results can be accessed by any of the homes we are visiting.

“We know that the pandemic has been a difficult time for everybody but for people living with dementia, the strain of not being able to do any of the things they are used to must have been in some cases devastating.

“More than 20 years experience has told Lost Chord that music is one of the few things that can actually reach out to people when all other forms of communication have been lost.

“Our indoor sessions are fully Covid compliant and follow all government guidelines and our outdoor sessions similarly follow all the same measures as we do want everyone to feel safe at all times. We can’t wait to see you all again.”

To find out more about Lost Chord, its work, how to become involved or to book a session with the Lost Chord musicians visit lost-chord.co.uk or call 01709 811160.