Singing has been compared to penicillin in its effect on mental health, and now people with dementia will be able to keep taking part in singing classes thanks to a £25,000 donation.

The charity Herts Musical Memories is now planning to use the grant to help develop online sessions for people with dementia and their carers and get ready to restart its sessions in community halls this July.

Founder Kerry Brabant says: “The act of singing is a positive work out for the brain improving mood, reducing anxiety, and reducing the need for medication.

“The impact of the pandemic was devastating, talking to our clients was heartbreaking as they struggled to cope.

“This funding will not only help us run our weekly singing sessions on Zoom but help us prepare to run sessions in community halls – we can’t wait to return and hope to be back in July.”

Herts Musical Memories has been running singing sessions for people living with dementia since June 2017.

Before the pandemic there were nearly 400 people attending weekly sessions all over Hertfordshire.

Music for Dementia is a national campaign calling for music to be made accessible for everyone living with dementia.

Programme director Grace Meadows said: “We are so delighted to be able to support Herts Musical Memories and others across the UK with a grant from the Paul & Nick Harvey Fund.

“Musical services have been severely impacted in the last year, meaning many people living with dementia and their carers have lost those important connections and special moments that only music can provide.”

Email Admin@hertsmusicalmemories.org.uk if you would like more information about Herts Musical Memories services.