Glossop Music Café strikes a chord

A 'café with a difference' has opened its doors in the centre of Glossop and its emphasis is on friendship and fun.

Called ‘Glossop Music Café’ it supports anyone living with Dementia or Alzheimer's and their carers, people with cognitive impairments, or changes resulting from a stroke.  

Opening hours are 1pm to 3pm on Wednesdays at Bradbury Community House, Market Street, with the four volunteer Music Champions who run the sessions promising a convivial atmosphere, and a warm welcome. 

Music plays a big party in the activities, but it does not matter if you have never picked up an instrument or can't sing. The café, which is entirely free, is all about relaxation, making friends and simply enjoying the session. 

The champions - Brendan and Olwen Wright, Sue Rivett and Emma Jones, have been trained by Manchester Camarata to deliver Music in Mind therapy sessions within the community, using music to generate connections and strengthen relationships. 

Participants are encouraged to make their own music with a range of instruments provided and it is the role of the Music Champion to support this. Sessions are lively and uplifting, often leading to singing, dancing and 'jamming'. 

The café is one of the first Music in Mind groups to set up outside of Tameside and Greater Manchester, after The Bureau on Henry Street, recognised a need to provide more support to those in the community living with dementia or other conditions affecting cognitive function. 

One of the organisers said: 'It is an addition to our long running Thursday Friends Dementia Support Group. Music in Mind forms a complementary session aimed at enriching the lives of Glossop residents, both of which are kindly funded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation. 

"The project is entirely volunteer-led by our dedicated team of Music Champions who bring their own skills and experience as musicians and music therapists respectively. 

"We are a friendly and welcoming group, looking to invite more participants to come along, have a brew and a chat and join in with the music making." 

Ruth Towner-Yates, Community Health and Wellbeing Manager at The Bureau, thanked the Freemasons’ Charity for providing three years funding for the cafe and the Thursday support group.