This week it was the turn of patients in Tameside Hospital's Stamford Unit to be treated to an afternoon of music from two retired teachers from Manchester.

Gary Kirkley and Greg Walker go by the name of Cajun Rascals, and have been friends and colleagues for over 20 years.

They teamed up recently to share their love of music over the decades, and are bringing fun and laughter to patients with dementia and residential care and nursing home residents with their own brand of musical memories.

"Even when people are brought into the session asleep, we see their feet begin to start tapping, then often they join in with the singing," Greg explained. 

Gary said: "We save our favourite song for last. It’s Jollity Farm, by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. It has opportunities for making animal noises and everybody loves joining in this one. It’s great to see people enjoying themselves; music can be such a spark to remembering the past." 

Karen James, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, says music can be used to communicate and engage with people with dementia and is often recommended to help develop and maintain relationships and improve wellbeing.

She said: "Research is increasingly demonstrating the positive effects of music for people with dementia in improving general attention, memory, speech and communication skills. It has also been shown to help reduce agitation and depression for some people. It can also help express feelings and connect with past memories, which may be easier to recall.

"That’s why I am so grateful to Gary and Greg for entertaining our patients on the Unit. Colleagues tell me everyone was clapping and tapping their feet and had a really enjoyable afternoon – a proper musical trip down memory lane.”

Greg worked in training centres and college, while Gary worked in Special Education and as an inspector.

Greg has played in many blues and rock bands, and Gary was Greg’s teacher training tutor at university - and they met up again twenty years later whilst working in a college.

They have played eight sessions in Manchester and East Lancashire, with more booked.

They are playing in France next month before returning for the Christmas sessions in December, which include another visit to the Stamford Unit.

“We have yet to decide who will dress up as Santa and who will be an elf!”, Gary joked. 

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