In a heartwarming initiative that is changing lives across Greater Manchester, a unique event known as the Dementia Disco is providing a vital lifeline for individuals living with dementia and their families. Founded in Stockport, the project creates a safe, welcoming space where music, dancing, and community take centre stage, offering joy and connection in the face of a challenging condition.
From Personal Struggle to Community Solution
The idea was born from personal experience in 2019, when Kate Derby's father, Brian, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the young age of 66. Kate, speaking from her home in Stockport, recalls feeling that traditional support groups didn't suit her father's spirit. "He seemed so much younger than others," she explains. "They were singing war songs or doing crafts, and he was just looking at me, wondering why he was there."
As Brian's condition progressed, the family found themselves increasingly isolated, hindered by the stigma and practical difficulties of going out. Determined to find a solution and give their mother, Jan, a break, Kate, her brother Nick, and friend Phil Bostock drew inspiration from the BBC's Dementia Choir. They noticed how music could momentarily reconnect Kate's father to his old self. "If you put on Bruce Springsteen or Dire Straits, he'd start singing and be back for a few minutes," she says.
Their vision was to create an early evening event with "nightclub vibes"—but tailored for accessibility. They aimed for a wedding reception atmosphere, with cheesy music, soft lighting, and a volume that was comfortable for sensitive ears, providing a chance for families to socialise, dance, and even enjoy a "date night."
A Growing Movement of Joy and Camaraderie
The first disco was held in July 2019 at the Heaton Mersey Con Club, whose warden offered the venue for free. To the founders' amazement, 40 people attended. "We thought it would just be the three of us and my dad on the dance floor," Kate remembers. "It was just brilliant." For Kate, dancing with her father to Bruce Springsteen for the first time since her 2014 wedding was profoundly special.
Word spread rapidly. The discos expanded to venues in Cheadle Hulme and Poynton, and in 2023, Dementia Disco became an official charity, relying on fundraising and volunteers to keep events free. Volunteer Jean England, whose mother had dementia, emphasises the disco's dual purpose. "Many think it's for the person with dementia, but it's even more for the carer," she states. "It's a huge, isolating job. This gives them a totally safe place where everybody understands."
Volunteers like Bren Foley, a former 80s DJ, bring the music to life, playing 60s, 70s, and Motown classics. He sometimes arrives in a ride-on leprechaun costume as "Paddy from Dublin," a character attendees often remember more fondly than his real name. The sense of community is palpable, with people often dancing in circles for safety and connection.
"Music is Memory": The Profound Impact on Attendees
For attendees like Richard Bones, 65, who lives with dementia and multiple sclerosis, the impact is transformative. "Music and dancing brings us out of a world we're stuck in," he says. Richard, who calls himself 'Rickety', relates music to memories from his youth. "I see it in others—the music seems to light them up, the dancing takes them back."
He credits the disco with providing focus and crucial camaraderie. "I can meet people who are affected in the same way... There's no expectation other than enjoyment." This ethos actively works to destigmatise dementia, countering the isolation many feel.
The disco's reach was highlighted when the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, made a recent appearance. He was taught line-dancing moves by attendee Sally, a moment that encapsulated the project's joyful mission.
Tragically, Kate's father Brian passed away in 2023, but his legacy lives on. "I feel like it's his legacy," Kate says. "It's a gift he left with us." Her mother, Jan, still attends and volunteers, dancing to Bruce Springsteen in his memory.
From a simple idea to a registered charity, the Dementia Disco proves the unparalleled power of music and community to spark joy, rebuild connections, and change perceptions for those navigating life with dementia.
