Help us bring the power of music to people living with dementia and their families Support the Power of Music

Almost a million people are living with dementia in the UK, supported by nearly 700,000 unpaid carers.

Dementia is a progressive condition without a cure – but evidence shows that music projects can help to improve health and wellbeing, reduce stress, improve cognition, and encourage social and communication skills.

However, dementia choirs and other grassroots music groups can struggle to meet costs from one week to the next. Too often their work is not  integrated with the health system, meaning that people miss out on accessing activity that are available in their communities. This is what we need to change. 

That is why we’ve set up The Power of Music Fund. We’re aiming to raise £5 million to bring hope and joy to thousands of people, through the power of music.

The Fund will support dementia choirs, carers groups and projects in care homes, among others – especially in parts of the country where the needs are greatest. It will support research and help create lasting change in the way that the health system works with community music groups, so many more people with dementia can get support through music.

The first Power of Music Fund launched earlier this year and provided grants of £1,000 to 100 local dementia choirs and singing groups. This vital contribution was scaled up later that year with a second cohort of grantees offering multi-year small grants to an additional 70 hyper local organisations delivering music activities for people living with dementia. These activities will benefit over 4500 people whilst championing innovators and best practice in the field, as well as focusing on areas of high need. These groups will form part of our national network for Music and Dementia and we will work with them over the course of the 3year fund to evaluate, grow and share learning with others. 

Following an application process, the first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia was awarded £500,000 in April 2024 and will work with NASP until 2027 to boost research and create lasting change in the way the health system works with community groups to ensure that many more people living with dementia can benefit in the long term.

The Fund is being managed by the National Academy for Social Prescribing. We are a charity that champions social prescribing, which involves helping people find non-medical support for their health and wellbeing – for example, through music, art, nature or through getting practical support for complex issues. 

Health professionals across the country recognise the value of social prescribing, and we work closely with the NHS to ensure that people who would benefit from social prescribing can get the support they need. 

Our previous Thriving Communities Fund supported more than 11,000 people across England, through a wide range of groundbreaking local projects.  

The fund was kickstarted by a £1 million donation from The Utley Foundation. It aims to bring together support from a range of sources to raise a total of £5 million – including Government bodies, philanthropists, trusts and foundations, businesses, individual donors and is currently supported by Arts Council England, Music for All and other donors, including members of the public. 

To make a private donation to the Power of Music Fund please email [email protected]