A successful year

We are delighted to say that 2024 has been a really successful year for the charity. We have been welcoming more members to our groups and some are now bursting at the seams due to popularity, which we love to see. We have opened a new group in Borehamwood recently to increase our services county-wide, demonstrating our efforts in rebuilding our groups following on from the the events of the pandemic back in 2020. This has only been possible thanks to the amazing support we have received this year from our individual donors, trusts and foundations, councillors and local organisations. Together they have ensured we can continue running our groups effectively while securing us a strong financial position. We want to take this opportunity to thank our committed volunteers who have made our sessions fun and therapeutic for all involved. As well as our group volunteers, we have our fantastic volunteer fundraiser Sue, who has transformed the charity’s financial status. Being in this position means we can look at expanding - starting with Letchworth Garden City! We are going to be hosting a launch event for the group on the 21st of March of this year (timings will be confirmed) . We owe a big thank you to the Letchworth Garden City Heritatge foundation for making this possible. Foundations across the country have helped HMM massively this year, including: the Postcode lottery, North and East Herts councils, The Charles Hayward foundation, RO group, The Masonic charitable group and D'Oyly Carte charitable trust (to name a few). Our thanks extend to local groups who have helped us and all individual donors. We wouldn’t be able to help so many people with dementia and their carers without your support!

Some highlights

We have enjoyed some highlights in 2024. To kick things off - our spectacular concert in St Albans cathedral was once again a great success with around 180 people attending back in May. We were grateful to be joined by our long-time partners, Clover Choir, who made the event even more spectacular. During the summer, we were lucky to be joined by filmmakers, Lot 108 productions, who are in the process of making a documentary dedicated to HMM. We are looking forward to working in partnership with Lot 108 in the new year. Thank you to all who have partaken in interviews or have been filmed in the sessions so far - you’re helping by giving HMM a voice to spread our word.

Herts Musical Memories celebrates the successful launch of new Borehamwood group

On the 1st of October, Herts Musical Memories (HMM) proudly launched its newest group in Borehamwood, and the event was a massive success! A huge thanks to Mayor Alpha Bird Collins to pen the group and speak so fondly about the charity. This exciting addition takes us up to 10 groups running across Hertfordshire - a huge achievement given we had to lose many following the pandemic.

Leading our weekly singing sessions are the incredibly talented Liz and Kerry, whose passion and musical expertise have already made a huge difference to the lives of those attending. We are also thrilled to highlight Christine and Peter, our fantastic volunteers, who were acting as our orchestra for the launch! As the group grows, we are now actively seeking more volunteers to support this important work. If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community and help people with dementia engage through music, we’d love to hear from you!

The Launch

The launch took place at Maxwell Park community centre, and sessions will continue running here. We were delighted to see a large turnout from the local community. The sing-along session featured timeless classics from the 1950s and 60s, bringing smiles to everyone in the room. It was a heartwarming moment to witness participants, some of whom hadn’t sung for years, join in and reconnect with songs that stirred fond memories.

Liz and Kerry, with their warm energy and experience, skillfully guided the group through a range of melodies, making everyone feel comfortable and encouraged to participate.

Be part of the HMM family

As our Borehamwood group continues to grow, we are looking for volunteers to help us expand and reach even more people in need. Volunteers play an essential role in our sessions, from setting up the venue to supporting participants during the sing-alongs, and creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Whether you have experience working with people with dementia or are simply passionate about music and community service, we’d love to welcome you to the team.

Volunteering with HMM is a rewarding experience that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life. No musical experience is required—just a kind heart, a willingness to help, and a desire to contribute to the wellbeing of others.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us via the form on our website or email admin@hertsmusicalmemories.org.uk or call 020 8950 5757 We provide training and support to ensure you feel confident and prepared to help during sessions.

Likewise we are always welcoming new members to our groups so please do contact us. We have plenty of space in our Borehamwood group and many of our other groups across Hertfordshire. See our group locations on our website.