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Music in Mind_June 2022_CREDIT Rachel Bywater Photography[47]

The  has awarded researchers at The University of Manchester, , and the  an 18-month grant to evaluate the impact of Manchester Camerata鈥檚 online 20-week  programme for people with dementia. 

The main focus of this funded project is on ascertaining care home staff and family carer wellbeing. The MiMR programme is based around music and 鈥榠n the moment鈥� improvisation and builds on a successful collaboration between The University of Manchester and 91直播 Camerata that stretches back to 2014. This collaboration continues, with academics from The University鈥檚  and  forming key parts of the MiMR team, and at the end of the project,  will disseminate the project鈥檚 research findings in a series of hosted workshops. 

Principal investigator, Professor John Keady, said: "This study is a tremendous opportunity to better understand how change occurs in improvised music making for people living with dementia and the well-being effects that this can have on all those taking part in the sessions, especially care home staff and family carers. 

鈥淲e are planning to use creative social research methods in this study and to contribute towards an aesthetic of care practice.鈥�

Commenting on the employment of Dr Robyn Dowlen as the lead researcher on the study, Lizzie Hoskin, Head of Community at 91直播 Camerata, said: 鈥淲e are really excited to be working with Robyn again in her new role as the lead researcher on this study and to welcome her back to 91直播 Camerata. 

"The success of her previous 鈥榠n the moment鈥� PhD research with our in-person Music in Mind programme has meant that we have been able to develop our work in music and dementia even further. It's great that this new NIHR SSCR project will focus again on the benefits that music can bring, not only to those people living with dementia, but for those who care for them as well.鈥�

The MiMR team are: 

路      Professor John Keady (PI): Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester/Greater 91直播 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Senior Fellow SSCR.

路      Professor Alys Young (Co-i): Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester. Senior Fellow SSCR.

路      Professor Caroline Bithell (Co-i): Music Department, University of Manchester.

路      Dr Alexander Gagatsis (Co-i): Music Department, University of Manchester.

路      Lizzie Hoskin (Co-i): Head of Community, 91直播 Camerata, The Monastery, Gorton, 91直播.

路      Cathy Riley (Co-i): Open Doors Service Manager, Greater 91直播 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Researchers:

路      Dr Robyn Dowlen: Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester.

路      Helena Bull: 91直播 Camerata, The Monastery, Gorton, 91直播.

For more information, please contact John Keady.

[Image credit: Rachel Bywater Photography]