Scottish band The Bluebells performed with a Dumbarton-based dementia choir at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum this afternoon to raise awareness of the power of meaningful music for dementia.

Showcasing their best-known hit, Young at Heart, the band was joined by the Every Voice Community Choir to mark the launch of National Playlist Day – a UK-wide awareness-raising campaign spearheaded by music and dementia charity Playlist for Life.

National Playlist Day takes place on Friday 20 September to encourage people across the country to create a personal playlist of songs that make up the soundtrack of their life, which can be a lifeline if diagnosed with dementia.

(Image: Newsquest)

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In 2023, for National Playlist Day, The Bluebells and the Every Voice Community Choir joined Scottish indie giants The Twilight Sad and a host of other acts at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow for a fundraising concert.

Ken McCluskey of The Bluebells, said: “The Bluebells are proud to support National Playlist Day and the work of Playlist for Life as our parents and close families have been dealing with dementia in recent times and we know that music can be so powerful for people who are living with the condition. I’m aware of the great work that Playlist for Life does to support people affected by dementia.”

How do playlists and music help? 

Over two decades of scientific research has shown that for people living with dementia, listening to personalised music can reduce anxiety, improve mood, make difficult tasks more manageable, and evoke memories that can help people living with dementia connect with their families and carers. The Older Adult Community Mental Health Team in NHS Fife recently saw an 80% reduction in the need for medication for 10 people living with dementia at home following the use of personalised playlists.

Playlist for Life, which won Scottish Charity of the Year at the SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) awards in June this year, hopes National Playlist Day will encourage more people to use meaningful music to support a loved one living with dementia.

Michael Timmons, Executive Director of Playlist for Life, added: “Everyone has a unique soundtrack to their life. This can be key to unlocking memories, helping start conversations and creating a sense of connection for someone living with dementia.

“Our work over the last 11 years has benefitted countless families right across the UK. We want everyone living with a dementia to have access to a playlist of songs that are personally meaningful to them, and for those who love and care for them know how to use it.

(Image: Newsquest) “This month is World Alzheimer’s Month, and while there are exciting developments in new treatments to slow the decline of the condition, it could be a way off yet before these are widely available.

"Personalised music playlists can help people now. It’s a simple tool with a low cost but a massive positive impact on the lives of people living with dementia.
“We’ve created a National Playlist Day website with a playlist maker tool, making it very easy so start your own playlist.

"I’d encourage everyone, regardless of their age, to think about the soundtrack of their life this National Playlist Day, not just as something to bring joy today but as a potential lifeline for the future.”