29 August 2017

A 12 minute movie about The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s projects to help those with dementia has won a top international award.

Memory Songs, produced by Lucy Kaye (pictured), picked up the Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Rhode Island International Film Festival.

The film covers the incredible efforts of LJS volunteers helping people with dementia and their carers, including Judith Silver’s acclaimed Singing for the Mind group.

Lucy said: “I was so moved by these elderly people, most in their 80s and 90s, who have lived such diverse and rich lives. Some survived the Holocaust, others had been professional footballers, some were artists; in spite of their illness, all carry that spark of life within them.

“They welcomed me into their homes, told me their life stories and talked of the trials and tribulations of living with or caring for someone with dementia.”

Singing for the Mind, which meets once a week, is a stimulating and social activity led by a trained singing leader for people with memory problems and their carers

Lucy added: “Because of the nature of dementia, often people who might have found it hard to hold a conversation could still remember all the words to most of the songs. In fact, it was sometimes very hard to tell who within the circle was suffering with dementia and who was not!”

For more details on The Liberal Jewish Synagogue and its amazing work, please visit www.ljs.org