World Alzheimer’s Month: Lifting spirits in Cumbria

Our musician Andy McKay has been visiting wards and care homes across Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where we have been able to share 29 hours of live music between September 2025 and May 2026.

Barrow-in-Furness is one of the most deprived areas in England in relation to health and disability (GOV.UK). Thanks to your support, we were able to share live music with three hospital wards and two care homes in the area. One of the spaces Andy visited is the Ramsey Unit at Furness General Hospital, an assessment unit for patients with organic illnesses such as dementia.

Andy shared this story, which beautifully shows the impact live music can have:

“I was very moved by a lady who appeared very ‘down’ when I spoke to her before the live music (I usually mingle and ask for requests or who is their favourite singer, etc). Afterwards she came up to me and tearfully told me that she had thought she would never smile or laugh again prior to my performance and asked when I was coming back because I’d lifted her spirits so much. She nearly had me in tears! She added that she hoped to be out in a fortnight and would try to find more live music because it had changed her feelings in an instant.

So many residents, relatives and staff came up and thanked me at the end. It was very touching. What we do is definitely very important and cannot be underestimated.”

Research shows that live music can reach people even in the later stages of dementia, evoking memories and helping them to reconnect with their sense of self. For patients and relatives, these live music experiences create shared moments of connection during a vulnerable and often isolating time. Thank you for supporting Music in Hospitals & Care and making this vital work possible.