Dementia Support East Sussex hoping for Christmas hit with new single
The new song – called Sweet Singing in the Choir – has been recorded by Dementia East Sussex to raise much-needed funds, as well as a few spirits.
The song was written by Graham Slack, son of the charity’s founder, the late Cliff Slack, of Icklesham. After a year of little interaction with their clients, the charity wants to bring the joy of song to everyone this Christmas and make sure that “a star of hope is shining through the fear.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDementia Support East Sussex is run by principal, Suzanne Procter from Hove and vice principal Helen Snow from Rottingdean. The charity offers free interactive singing, movement and craft sessions to those living with dementia and their carers, across East Sussex (Ditchling, Lewes, Peacehaven, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Horam, Heathfield, Uckfield, Hadlow Down, Hailsham and Bexhill).
Suzanne said: “2020 has been a tremendously difficult year for everyone but particularly for our service users, many of whom have been isolated from friends and family. We’ve had to move our sessions online to help them continue to benefit from the amazing power of music and song.
“We also managed to deliver many garden singing sessions during the summer which went down a storm. Graham had the idea of creating this upbeat song to help remind people of the power of music and singing to help us all through tough times and raise money for our charity – which brings the power of music to those living with dementia – in the process.”
Helen – who also has the claim to fame being the soprano on the version of Silent Night featured in blockbuster movie Love Actually – added: “We would usually put on a huge Christmas concert for our service users but that won’t be possible this year.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Instead, we decided to record and release this single, with all the proceeds going towards the work we do. We thought it would be a wonderful idea to include as many of the people connected to our organisation in the video as possible, we even persuaded a couple of our trustees to join in.
“We would be so grateful if people could buy the single to help raise funds. It will mean we can offer even more free sessions for venues across East Sussex in the months ahead.”
You can find the music video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPV_6HPZG1o; and here is a link to a more traditional Christmas carol that they also recorded as a bonus track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ-vwr4QSSI
You can donate on: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/help-make-us-christmas-number-oneSuzanne added: “From small beginnings in 2014 with two sessions per month at our dementia friendly ‘singing and friendship’ group in Bexhill we now complete at least 25-30 sessions each month (Pre-Covid) across East Sussex. We visit venues in Ditchling, Lewes, Peachaven, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Horam, Heathfield, Uckfield, Wadhurst, Brighton, Hadlow Down, Hailsham and Bexhill.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We operate on a shoestring, make no charge for our sessions and believe our service should be free so that none are excluded. We have sustained our growth through the generosity of donations and small grant funding. We face increased running costs including volunteer travel expenses, purchasing props, ie musical instruments, pom poms etc., advertising, website maintenance, zoom payments to name but a few. We hope with more funding and support we will be able to continue to provide services to our current venues and extend these to more groups so more people with dementia and their carers can benefit from the power of music and singing.”
Sweet Singing in the Choir comes with lyrics by Dan Griffiths and music by Graham Slack; lead and harmony vocals – Suzanne Procter and Helen Snow; and harmony vocals – Dan Griffiths, Cooper Snow and Hadlee Snow.