On the north coast of the United Kingdom, a remarkable movement is taking shape—one that blends music, community, and compassion in a way that’s transforming the lives of people living with dementia. Over the past year, two initiatives have captured the hearts of many: the partnership between Bonds of London confectionery and Vicki McClure’s Our Dementia Choir, and the Age Concern Causeway dementia choir, both of which are proving that music and generosity can make a profound difference for individuals and families facing the challenges of dementia.
In December 2025, World of Sweets, the parent company behind Bonds of London, announced the renewal of its partnership with Our Dementia Choir. The collaboration, which began in 2024, has already raised £32,000 for the charity—a sum that stands as the largest single donation the choir has received this year, according to Caroline Killeavy, Chief Executive of Our Dementia Choir. “We cannot thank the Bonds team for their generous support and kindness over this past year, and we are delighted our close partnership will continue for another year. This donation is the largest single donation the charity has received this year, and this level of funding makes a massive difference to the experience we can offer choir members, families and carers, all of whom are living with dementia,” Killeavy told the press.
This partnership isn’t just about the money, though the funds are certainly vital for the choir’s ongoing work. It’s about the sense of connection and joy that music brings to those living with dementia—a sentiment echoed by Kathryn Hague, Head of Marketing at World of Sweets. “We are thrilled to have raised £32,000 so far for Our Dementia Choir. The response from our customers has been incredible, and it feels only right to continue the Bonds birthday celebrations and the partnership for another year. Music and nostalgia bring so much joy—and we are proud that our sweets can play a small part in supporting such meaningful work,” Hague said.
The extended partnership means that more people living with dementia will have access to the choir’s unique blend of support, music, and community. Bags supporting the cause are available from Hancocks, Bobbys, World of Sweets representatives, and the World of Sweets National account team, making it easy for customers to contribute to the initiative with every purchase.
But what does this all mean for the people at the heart of these efforts? To understand the real impact, one need only look to the Age Concern Causeway dementia choir, which formed in September 2024. According to BBC News NI, this group of around 20 men and women has become “a life-changing support network” for those affected by dementia on the north coast. Their story came into the spotlight during a recent Christmas concert at St Patrick’s Church in Coleraine, where children from Castleroe Primary School joined the choir for a special performance.
For 80-year-old Kathleen Kane, who was diagnosed with dementia six years ago, the choir has brought unexpected happiness and a renewed sense of purpose. “I love it and I sit at home and sing away,” Kane shared with BBC News NI, her eyes lighting up as she recalled her favorite Christmas song, Silent Night. “When I was a child I sang Silent Night and loved it,” she added, before bursting into song. The support from the children, she said, made the experience even more meaningful: “The children are all so good to help us here.”
Kane isn’t alone in finding solace and joy through singing. Her daughter, Sharon Chambers, sings alongside her in the choir and has witnessed firsthand the positive changes in her mother’s mood and behavior. “We weren’t singers before but now we sing away and it’s so special we can do it together,” Chambers explained. “This has been very good for her and it makes her very happy. Dementia is really hard on a family especially when you see them confused.”
The intergenerational aspect of the choir was especially evident during the Christmas concert, where the children of Castleroe Primary School played a supporting role. Elsie, a young member of the school choir, told BBC News NI, “It was a pleasure to see our singing bring a smile to their faces. We love to encourage others to enjoy singing. We are here to support these elderly people and to say ‘we are here for you’.”
For Daphne McCarthy, another choir member living with dementia, music has always been a source of happiness. “I was brought up with music and church music. I love it and it makes me so happy. You can also see the joy in the young people’s faces too and that is the greatest gift. It’s really helping me at Christmas,” she confided.
Behind the scenes, Mandy Corr, manager at Age Concern Causeway, has seen the transformative power of music up close. She described how the choir has grown and become a vital support network for many: “People with dementia don’t often leave the house so this is a real chance to bring joy to people. The change we see in people is so clear. When they sing they go back in time and start talking about memories from years ago. The choir has got bigger and the joy it brings is unbelievable. It has been a life changing support network for so many of them.”
The science backs up what these families and caregivers are experiencing. Dementia UK notes that singing and music can “help with memory loss, build confidence and help people connect with each other.” Dementia itself is a symptom found in many diseases of the brain, most famously Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss is the most common symptom, particularly the struggle to remember recent events. Other symptoms can include changes to behavior, mood, and personality, becoming lost in familiar places, or being unable to find the right word in a conversation. There is no cure, though doctors can sometimes slow the progress of the disease or help patients manage symptoms to live well with the illness.
It’s this context that makes initiatives like the Bonds of London partnership and the Age Concern Causeway choir so important. They offer not just financial support, but a sense of belonging, purpose, and joy for people who often feel isolated or forgotten. The continued generosity of companies like World of Sweets, and the energy of volunteers, families, and schoolchildren, ensure that the music—and the hope—keeps playing for another year.
As the holiday season draws to a close and a new year begins, these choirs and their supporters remind us that even small acts of kindness, a familiar melody, or a shared bag of sweets can create ripples of happiness that reach far beyond what we might expect.
