Manchester Camerata and The University of Manchester announce ‘Music in Mind Remote’, A new company founded to create an app bringing our renowned programme for people living with dementia to a nationwide audience.
We have joined forces with the University of Manchester to found a new company – Music in Mind Remote Ltd – following a grant from UK Research and Innovation [UKRI] as part of the Healthy Ageing Challenge. This collaboration follows 10 years of research and essential support from the University of Manchester and this next step will see Music in Mind Remote become a global leader in music and dementia. The purpose of Music in Mind Remote is to create an app based on our renowned Music in Mind programme for people living with dementia using cutting-edge technology. Bev Taylor, former Social Prescribing Lead for NHS England and Improvement, has been announced as Chief Executive of Music in Mind Remote Ltd and will oversee the company as it embarks on this exciting project.
Dr Alex Thompson, Senior Research Fellow at the Manchester Centre for Health Economics, has said that “there is huge potential to improve residents wellbeing whilst reducing the costs associated with avoidable agitation, with some estimates suggesting a potential £15,000 saving for a resident over 3 months”. The app’s potential to save money through a reduced need for medicine could have a revolutionary effect on the NHS.
Music in Mind Remote has also received noteworthy investment from four local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups [CCGs] in Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan and Manchester. Once running, the app will be tested in the CCG areas before being rolled out nationwide. The app will train carers in basic music therapy-based techniques and provide resources for people living with dementia whilst also evaluating their response to the activities. Details of the nationwide rollout will be available once the app has completed development and testing stages and will depend on future funding.
Andrew Wilkinson, Chief Executive of The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, said: “We are very pleased that Music in Mind Remote Ltd has been able to secure this funding. The online program being developed by the new company, based on the research, IP, and practices developed by the Manchester Camerata and The University of Manchester, is going to make a huge positive impact on the lives of thousands of people affected by dementia. Supporting this project is of prime importance to the Innovation Factory as it demonstrates how partnerships between the University and organisations like the Manchester Camerata can create enormous social benefit.”
Warren Heppolette, Executive Lead for Strategy and System Development for Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Music in Mind Remote is typical of the ingenuity and ‘can-do’ spirit in Greater Manchester, and I am delighted that the GM Health and Social Care Partnership will be a partner in this new and innovative product.”
Through the foundation of this company, Manchester Camerata and the University of Manchester aim to bring the internationally renowned Music in Mind programme to people living with dementia across the UK. Other local organisations advising on the project are the Greater Manchester Care Record, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Manchester City Council as well as Dementia United and Nordoff Robbins.
Visit the Music in Mind Remote website >
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