The Alzheimer’s Society runs Singing For The Brain at Macclesfield Methodist Church every Tuesday afternoon.

Led by Jill Grimshaw, it has proven that singing can have extraordinary benefits for people with dementia.

The sessions are a perfect opportunity for people with dementia to meet others, form friendships and share fun.

Most of the songs are carefully chosen to be very familiar and few members require the books as the words are deep-seated in their long-term memories.

Jill said: “We sing the songs we know.

“There are no barriers – everyone has an opportunity to join in.

“And just because a person has dementia, it doesn’t mean they can’t learn. So we also teach new songs.

“One of the main aims is social interaction.

“It’s an opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to meet each other and do something creative together.”

Group member Roy Worrall, from Poynton, was diagnosed seven years ago.

He said: “The session gives me the freedom to sing. I enjoy all the songs once I’m into them.”

His wife Pauline added: “Roy has always liked singing and we have music on at home a lot.

“All the people with dementia who come here try to sing or hum along – it brings them out of themselves.

“It’s like a big party.”

Maureen Sibley, from Poynton, attends with her mum Betty who sang in a choral society for more than 50 years.

She said: “We’ve been coming here for more than two years.

“These sessions enable my mum to socialise, to use her voice.

“It’s good for me to see her singing and laughing.”

Dementia Awareness Week, which began on Sunday and runs until May 23, has been set up to spread the message that people living with Dementia can continue to do new things and have new experiences.

Dementia is the name for a collection of symptoms which can be brought on by a number of different conditions.

Symptoms include memory loss, mood changes and problems with communication and reasoning.

For more information on the condition or for advice go to alzheimers.org.uk.