Dementia-friendly ‘Sing and Smile’ sessions launch in Weston-super-Mare

A dementia-friendly singing initiative that has tackled loneliness and brought music and friendship to the people of Yatton is now inviting residents in Weston-super-Mare to take part in new weekly sessions in the town.

Right at Home North Somerset is expanding its ‘Sing and Smile’ sessions to the Front Room Theatre at Central Walk, every Friday from 2.30pm until 3.30pm.

Attendees at the first Sing and Smile session at the Front Room Theatre in Weston-super-Mare. (Photo: Supplied)

Amy Collins, Community Development Officer at Right at Home North Somerset, which provides care across the region, said:

“Music has a remarkable ability to bring people together and create moments of shared joy. In our Yatton sessions, we’ve seen how powerful “Sing and Smile” can be in helping people connect with each other and with their own memories.

“So much so that we have decided to expand into Weston-super-Mare and are inviting anyone interested to come along. The sessions are about far more than singing, they’re about lifting spirits and forging friendships through music. Familiar songs draw people together - sparking joy, reminiscence and connection.”

The sessions are designed to be inclusive and welcoming for everyone, using familiar music to encourage reminiscence, social connection and moments of joy. 

(Right) Amy Collins, Community Development Officer at Right at Home North Somerset with (left) one of the attendees at the inaugural Sing and Smile session. (Photo: Supplied)

A suggested £5 donation for the session goes towards supporting dementia activities for people in the local area.

Gwyn Herbert, a local songwriter and musician, was approached by Jess Hicks from the Front Room Theatre to run the sessions alongside Shelley Nicholson. 

Gwyn said:

“I’m so excited to be part of the team leading the new ‘Sing and Smile’ sessions at Front Room Theatre. Music is my life’s passion, and I can’t think of anything more joyful than belting out some bangers right in the heart of the community, what a way to end the week!”

Local songwriter and musician, Gwyn Herbert, leading the first Sing and Smile session in Weston-super-Mare. (Photo: Supplied)

The Front Room Theatre is an award-winning fringe theatre in Weston-super-Mare, which aims to present adult and family theatre productions to the community and provide a platform for artists and theatre companies to share their work in their hometown.

Right at Home North Somerset provides trusted, high-quality homecare across North Somerset including Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon, Yatton, Backwell, Cheddar, Long Ashton and nearby areas.

For Right at Home, homecare goes beyond support offered inside the home, and enables Clients to stay connected to the people, places and routines that matter most to them.

They offer a range of regular community events, including ‘Sing and Smile’ and ‘Chit Chat Tables’ that provide opportunities for local residents to thrive through social connection.

The Right at Home ‘Sing and Smile’ sessions will take place every Friday from 2.30pm until 3.30pm at the Front Room Theatre at Central Walk in Weston-super-Mare.