IN PICTURES: Health for Life’s DEEDS members treated to Ulster Orchestra live in Creggan
The renowned Ulster Orchestra gave a special performance to DEEDS (Dementia Engaged and Empowered Derry & Strabane) members recently at the Bishop’s Field Centre as part of their community engagement programme.
The event was staged as a tea party for DEEDS members living with dementia and for many, it was the first time they had been at a live orchestral event.
Suzanne Savage entertained those in attendance and encouraged members to sing along and to play percussion. The audience enjoyed the music and danced to familiar tunes as well as being introduced to less well known pieces.
Sinead Devine, Deeds Co-Ordinator at Health for Life, said: “Our members were delighted to be invited to come along today and take part in a slightly different musical event. This was an important occasion for people living with dementia. To have a live orchestral experience was a new experience for a lot of our members and it was important that this is offered in a dementia-friendly way.
“If you or I want to attend the orchestra, we simply book and go but for people living with dementia, it can prove to be more challenging. Usually if we attend an orchestral event, we sit in silence to enjoy the music but with today’s performance, our members were encouraged to sing or dance and respond as they wished. The attendance today hugely enjoyed it more as a result.”
Mayor Grace Uí Niallais opened the lunchtime musical programme, and the DEEDS social groups were treated to an afternoon tea after the performance where they had an opportunity to chat to the Ulster Orchestra musicians.
Stephanie Elliot, Ulster Orchestra Production Co-ordinator stated the importance of community events and the engagement programme.
“Our community events are vital. Today’s event was funded by the McClay Dementia Trust. Everything from the orchestra and singers to venue hire, transport and catering was offered as part of the package. This enables smaller community groups like DEEDS, as well as care homes, to have a full experience without undue costs to these organisations.”
“The Community Engagement Programme aims to work with a wide range of age groups from children and young people to the older members of society, giving them enjoyment and access to music as well as breaking down barriers about orchestral music.”
Member Gerard, who attended Wednesday’s event, noted; “I have only ever seen an orchestra play on TV. I have never seen one live. This is just great.”
Another of the attendees, Marie, queried of the orchestra: “When are you coming back?”
Adding to those sentiments, Sinead Devine stressed the importance of connecting with the local community: “Being offered an opportunity from such a prestigious arts organisation as the Ulster Orchestra enables people living with dementia to connect out into the community and this challenges ideas about what people with dementia can still do.
