A CARE home has set up a choir to help people living there who have dementia.

Sanctuary Care’s Iffley Residential and Nursing home in Oxford helps to calm residents, reduce anxiety and agitation.

The project is backed by charity the Alzheimer’s Society, which has more than 300 Singing for the Brain groups across the country.

The choir has proved to be an inclusive way for all the staff in the home to engage with the residents.

Activities manager Rachel Bearn, who leads the choir, said: “Music unlocks parts of the brain that may have been lost.

“We have seen an amazing difference in our residents living with dementia. Residents who are less able to communicate verbally because of their dementia are suddenly singing whole songs and remembering all the words.

“We have some residents who find it hard to speak but when I start to sing their eyes light up.”

One of the residents who got involved in the choir is Barbara Goodwin, who has Alzheimer’s.

Her daughter Fiona Evans said: “Music gives her enormous pleasure.

“Mum enjoys the choir so much it is a great part of her week, which makes her feel very happy.

“Music is a great part of the care for people living with dementia. It can stir forgotten memories which may have been lost some time ago.

“Some of the songs remind her of her school days in Penzance, Cornwall and she is keen to correct anyone who may get the words wrong to Tea for Two’.”