BBC Breakfast has highlighted the work of Dementia Disco, a charity launched to bring joy to families affected by dementia through music and dance.
Co-founder, Kate Darby, joined presenters Jayne McCubbin, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt on the red sofa earlier this month to share how her charity is improving lives and remind viewers that a dementia diagnosis doesn’t define a person.
Reflecting on the experience, Kate said: "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to talk about our amazing charity and continue spreading an important message: you can live well with dementia. Together, we can challenge the stigma, celebrate what people can do, and help more people understand that a diagnosis doesn't mean life stops."
Dementia Disco was founded by Kate and her brother, Nick Shaw, after struggling to find dementia-friendly music groups for their father, Brian Shaw, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 66.
The Stockport-based siblings knew how much the music of the ‘60s and ‘70s meant to him, so they were disappointed to discover that most groups in their area only played music aimed at an older generation.
Determined to fill this gap by holding their own events, the pair teamed up with friend Phil Bostock, whose grandmother was diagnosed with vascular dementia in her early 90s and lost her ability to play the piano.
They first held Dementia Disco events in 2019 and now run eight groups across the country.
The discos are free for people with dementia and their families or carers to attend, taking place in the early evening and including a free meal.
"What's great is that because they are held at the weekend and in the early evening people come with their whole families, including their kids and grandkids and it's a bit like a family wedding-type vibe with food and music," Nick told the BBC.
"We are trying to create a normal night out that they remember from when they were young, with different music, as we play requests."
Dementia Disco also produces ‘Daily Dance’ YouTube videos to support people living with dementia to dance to the music they love from anywhere.
The videos integrate Manchester University’s evidence-based fall prevention exercises into joyful routines.
Dementia Disco became a registered charity in 2024. Its main ethos is to challenge assumptions around living with dementia.
Commenting on their appearance on BBC Breakfast, the Dementia Disco team said: “A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful BBC News Breakfast team for making Kate Darby feel so welcome, and to Jayne McCubbin, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt for helping us bring this conversation into homes across the UK.”