Talitha Arts is passionate about using the creative arts to bring joy to those who are living with dementia. As we slowly emerge from covid-19, our therapeutic arts workshops will be more needed than ever - offering connection, hope and restoration. That's why we are thrilled to have Dr. Fiona Costa share a Talitha Talk on Using Music to bring Joy into the Lives of People with Dementia.
In this talk, Dr Fiona Costa will share some ideas for using music in the care of people with dementia. They will be for anyone to try - partners, family members, professional carers, musicians and non-musicians alike.
Dr Fiona Costa originally trained at the Royal College of Music. Her lifelong interest in music, together with a calling to a ministry with older people, has led to a range of different initiatives and interests. As a research fellow at the University of Roehampton, her principal research interest is the effect of music on the wellbeing and quality of life of older people. Her PhD and subsequent research projects have studied the effect of music on pain, stress, anxiety and depression. Most recently her work has focused on the use of music to aid memory and communication in people with dementia.
An active member of Holy Trinity Brompton for over forty years, she has been involved in several areas of ministry, most recently those involving older people. Over ten years ago, she initiated and set up a series of concerts and teas for older people in the community. Held six times a year, these concerts are attended by up to five hundred people per event. They give opportunities to make friends, to be welcomed into the church community and to experience music performed by some of the UK’s finest musicians.
Meet the Talitha Team!
This month we would like to introduce you to our Head of Administration,
Gaynor Yeomans.
This is how Gaynor first came to Talitha...
I first came across Talitha in 2016 when I saw our founder, Amanda Root, on television. She had been nominated for the Woman of the Year award for her work with Talitha. I was familiar with and an admirer of Amanda's work as an actor and was keen to find out more about the charity. Their mission really resonated with me and I wrote to them to offer my services, in any capacity! Amanda immediately came back to me, we met up and I came on board as a volunteer in Administration. In 2018 I was delighted to become a member of staff, as Head of Administration. I love my job and the fact that I am supporting the incredible work that our practitioners do. Since the charity is small I feel privileged to be involved in everything we do. This is my fifth year with Talitha and I hope to be a part of the team for many years to come.