A CHARITY which supports those living with and alongside dementia in Cornwall through singing has received a National Lottery boost.

Forget-Me-Not Chorus is celebrating after receiving £19,360 to help fund care home and community sessions.

Since it started in Wales in 2010, Forget-Me-Not Chorus (FMNC) has used the power of shared song to help thousands of people impacted by dementia.

The charity has reached staff and residents of several Cornish care homes since 2021 and recently launched the first FMNC community chorus outside Wales in St Austell, led by St Agnes-based professional soprano Caroline Childe.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Inclusive singing sessions support those with dementia and those who love and care for them, bringing people together for a shared experience away from the challenges and difficulties of the everyday caring routine.

“In addition to the physical and emotional benefits that singing brings, being part of the FMNC family offers mutual support and understanding to those who are caring for a loved one as they have the opportunity to share experiences with people who are on a similar journey.

“Community volunteers or ‘singing buddies’ give their time to support choristers, encouraging interaction and making trusting relationships through the experience of singing together. Through the power of song, this innovative charity builds community.”

The Forget-Me-Not Chorus in St Austell is open to anyone living with and alongside dementia and no referral is needed. Sessions are free to attend and they run on alternate Saturdays between 2pm and 4pm at Mount Charles Methodist Church.

For more information on the group, email Freddie Hodkin via [email protected] or call 07711 293028.

The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its strategy, ‘It starts with community’, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4-billion of funding by 2030.

As part of this, the funder has four key missions, which are to support communities to come together, to be environmentally sustainable, to help children and young people thrive, and to enable people to live healthier lives.

National Lottery players raise more than £30-million a week for good causes. In 2023/24, the lottery community fund awarded £686.3-million.