National charity Methodist Homes (MHA), has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the impact music therapy has on people living with dementia.
The #MyMomentOfJoy campaign, which will run across all social media platforms and at www.MyMomentOfJoy.co.uk launched on BBC Music Day, on Thursday 26th September. BBC Music Day is the UK-wide, annual celebration of the power of music to change lives. This year, the BBC will launch an ambitious project to help bring music to everyone living with dementia by 2020. MHA has been working in collaboration with the BBC on Music Day. 
MHA’s campaign will support this aim through a series of video stories showing the effect of music therapy on MHA care home residents and their families. A specially commissioned animation, voiced by former Strictly Come Dancing judge and choreographer Arlene Phillips, will also demonstrate the power of music therapy, even for those living with the most advanced stages of dementia. As part of the campaign, MHA is encouraging as many people as possible from across the UK to show their support by sharing one song that has brought them joy in life, using the hashtag #MyMomentOfJoy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MHA’s award-winning music therapy offering aims to stimulate cognition, helping to reduce symptoms associated with dementia such as anxiety and depression. Sessions are adapted to suit individuals through nurturing their physical and emotional wellbeing enhancing their quality of later life and allowing residents to re-connect with their loved ones.
“I’ve spent my life working with and through music and know its incredible power to move and inspire. That’s why I’m delighted to support the brilliant work done by MHA and their specialist music therapists,” said Arlene Phillips, #MyMomentOfJoy campaign ambassador. “To see the way familiar old tunes bring moments of joy to the lives of people living with dementia is truly beautiful. To reawaken memories in those living with dementia and bring them back to their loved ones and to those who care for them – even for a short time – is magical. I believe everyone should support this wonderful, life-enhancing work. If you feel the same please help us unlock more memories and bring families together.”
Sam Monaghan, chief executive at MHA, said: “We are so proud of the work our music therapists do to improve the quality of life for our residents, every day. We believe that everyone living with dementia should have access to music therapy, that’s why it’s so important for us to demonstrate how powerful it is. We want as many people as possible to find out more through our #MyMomentOfJoy campaign.”
