A NORTH-EAST singer will use her voice and the power of music to reach out to those living with dementia and brain injury.

Donna Moore was inspired by her grandfather’s battle with dementia to set up the North-East’s first branch of Kiddleydivey, a music therapy service designed to help those with memory loss.

From November, Mrs Moore will travel the region to host accessible sessions in care homes, hospitals, at lunch clubs and private venues.

The New Marske woman believes music to be an important tool in helping those with memory problems enjoy their lives and communicate with their loved ones.

Her sessions will see participants encouraged to listen to and engage with memory prompts in the form of music from a variety of eras.

The 35-year-old said: “I wanted to do something for the community and I’d already been a dementia friend for a while.

“Dementia care is going to be so important now that we’re getting older and living longer and there’s a need to help people now.

“The sessions will be in a safe place and will be lovely, stimulating and energising for the body and mind.

“Over the years, I’ve done a lot of singing in care homes but I’ve always been singing at people, not with them – I want them to sing, it’s good for the soul if nothing else.

“Conditions like dementia can be hard for families to live with and this will be a way to connect people through music.

“There’s no cure for something like dementia and it’s a long and hard journey but something like this could improve quality of life, remind people of happier times and act as a memory connector.

“My grandad had dementia, he died in 2011, and I know what families go through – we didn’t know for a long time, we thought his problems were because he was getting older.

“If I’d known, I’d have done more and I think doing something like this would have helped him.

“I can’t help my grandad now but I want to do this for others like him.”

Mrs Moore is currently looking for venues across the region to host sessions and lunch clubs in, no equipment is necessary.

For more information or to help, email donna@kiddleydivey.co.uk or call 07491981113.