A care home in Chester hit the right note with a brand-new, music-inspired project.

Residents at Care UK’s Deewater Grange, on Chester Road, enjoyed a guitar and bass session as part of a broader initiative to enjoy music therapy.

The initiative, developed in partnership by Nordoff-Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, consists of weekly sessions featuring a variety of instruments for residents to try – from drums and maracas to keyboards and guitars.

Nordoff-Robbins promotes music as a tool to enrich the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses, disabilities or feelings of isolation, regardless of age or condition.

As part of their latest session, led by Nordoff-Robbins Charlotte Bailey, residents and team members also had the opportunity to tap their feet along to the beat of drums.

Betty, a resident at Deewater Grange, said: "I look forward to Charlotte coming every week. The environment is so happy – my friends and I enjoy it enormously and I always take part. My favourite instrument is anything that shakes!

"My mother always loved to watch me and my sister dance when we were small, that's why I love music. I like to dance along but I much prefer playing the instruments."

Sally Cooper, Home Manager at Deewater Grange, said: "Our music therapy sessions are definitely a highlight every week for many residents – it’s amazing to see the smile on their faces when they start hearing the music or playing with the instruments.

"Music therapy has become a very popular activity when supporting older people, especially those living with dementia, as it can help people to tap into powerful memories and nostalgia while offering them an alternate way to communicate.

"In addition to these benefits, the Nordoff-Robbins workshop was also an opportunity to work on our best dance moves and coordination, which is an essential component of falls prevention – so it definitely was the perfect activity for us.

"Watching residents’ confidence and skills improve every week has been wonderful, so we’re looking forward to our next musical activity."

Deewater Grange provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care. The home has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own café, bar, cinema as well as a hair and beauty salon.

The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

For more information about Deewater Grange, please contact the Customer Relations Manager Donna Brown at donna.brown@careuk.com or call 01244 455176.