A SINGING group for people with dementia who were left homeless in the spring are ending the year with a new venue, a thriving membership and plans to launch a second group.

Burnley-based Crossroads Care run the Getting Together singing group for people with dementia and their carers.

They have been meeting for more than a year, with a current membership of 54.

After losing their previous venue at short notice, the singers were offered a new home at Rosegrove Unity Working Men’s Club, Rossendale Road, Burnley.

John Rattigan, business manager for Crossroads Care, said: “The room at Rosegrove club is ideal for the Getting Together group and we have a great attendance every week.

“During the singing, people who have been emotionally separated by dementia are brought together albeit for a short time.

“There is anecdotal evidence that it helps them to feel better or to become ‘unblocked’ by a musically evoked memory or emotion.”The group rounded off their year by singing carols in the Burnley indoor market last week.

Mr Rattigan said that the charity, whose members are primarily from the Burnley and Pendle area, was planning a second group.

“We are hoping to set up a weekly event in Rossendale and in January we will be looking for venues which could accommodate us once a week.

“We would love to hear from venues who could possibly help with this and of course new members are always welcome for both the Burnley and Rossendale groups.”

Thanks to funding received from the Lloyds TSB Foundation the sessions are free.

They meet every Monday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm at Rosegrove Unity Working Men’s Club.

Those interested in attending or hosting the group in Rossendale can email Crossroads Care at enquiries@crossroadseastlancs.org.uk or call 01282 832548.