Alan and I went to do a music session for the new early-stage dementia group at North Edinburgh Arts. It was a good session with people feeling able to share their stories with us. In Scotland there are Meeting Centres at various places all over the country, with the aim that they will work with those who have concerns about dementia or have recently had a diagnosis and are in the early stages of dementia. I hope we will be invited back.
The Leith group that we started earlier in the year has not got going at the base we had thought would be best. It is time to look for a new setting, and we have decided upon the Living Memory Centre in Ocean Terminal. This will be a great partnership as they have so much memorabilia that we can use as part of the group. We are looking forward to the New Year and seeing how this will become established. Thank you to St James who welcomed us so well, we just couldn’t make it work.
On Tuesday I did more work on funding applications. The Open Lottery application has been long and arduous, that, along with the City of Edinburgh Council application, I could gladly see them far enough. The Open Lottery application has been over 35 pages so I am hoping we will be successful.
On Wednesday we were at North Edinburgh Arts for the Intergenerational Music and Movement group. This has evolved into an All Singing and Dancing group and on Wednesday it was just brilliant. The energy and the emotion in the room was amazing. As this was the last group before Christmas, I was able to say a happy Christmas not only to those with learning disability, but also the staff who give so much of themselves. Reflecting on this last year it has been such a great thing that All Singing and Dancing are now a part of The Forget Me Notes Project. I just wish I could gather you all up and show you the groups, to say they are inspiring is an understatement.
On Thursday afternoon we were singing in the Gyle Shopping Centre and on Friday evening we were singing for the Provost’s Christmas Reception. Once again, the Provost joined with us and sang along. He is a great advocate of Forget Me Notes and we are so glad of his support.
Along with music sessions at Strachan House and Craighall it has been a busy week. It won’t be any less busy this coming week and we will be back at The Gyle this Thursday between 2pm and 4pm, so if you are around The Gyle then please come along and sing with us, it will be great to see you.
Have a good week!