ParliaMentors pupils brighten day of Hackney dementia patients with karaoke

A trio of university students sung karaoke, made art and danced with elderly dementia patients to raise awareness of their condition and to bridge the gap between the young and old in Hackney.

William Sun, Hanna Gynnerstedt and Faraan Sayed are all taking part in this year’s ParliaMentors Programme, run by interfaith organisation Three Faiths Forum, which sees undergraduates of different faiths and beliefs mentored by parliamentarians.

To take social action they held the Re-Inspire a Generation day last Tuesday at Acorn Lodge Care Centre in Atherden Road, Lower Clapton.

“We wanted to raise awareness of dementia, especially in an area like Hackney which is one of the most diverse areas in London and has recently lost a lot of money in social care from government cuts,” said Faraan.

“As communication with the residents is challenging due to their condition, it was so lovely to see them all dancing and singing in the music workshop, or even just tapping their feet.

“I feel that living with this condition, an elderly person can begin to lose their identity, both individually and as part of the community.”

“With this in mind the staff at the care home were incredibly inspiring, and we wish to thank them for the difficult work that they do for the residents and the community.”