Hi, my name is Alina and I work in dementia care at Church Farm Skylarks. Every Monday, I take a group of our residents to the Heron Music Café, run by Musicworks at the Poppy and Pint in Lady Bay.

Music can be such a powerful source of comfort and connection for people living with dementia. Even as other abilities, like short-term memory, begin to fade, musical memory often remains. Research shows that familiar songs stimulate areas of the brain linked to memory and emotion, helping to ease anxiety and bring moments of real joy.

Each café is unique, with different singers and a wonderful team of volunteers who create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Their kindness and enthusiasm allow our residents to fully enjoy these sessions, often alongside their relatives who join in to share meaningful moments together.

To support the incredible work of Musicworks, I’m running the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday 15 March 2026 to raise funds so that more people can experience the healing power of music. Any donation, big or small, will mean so much and help bring music’s magic to even more people living with dementia.

Thank you!