Celebrating National Playlist Day 2024
National Playlist Day recognises the power of personally meaningful music for people living with dementia.
At Playlist for Life, we want everyone living with dementia to have their own personalised playlist of meaningful music. National Playlist Day is a UK-wide awareness raising campaign which we lead annually to inspire people across the nation to think about the ‘soundtrack of their life’ and create a personal playlist of meaningful music.
Making a playlist is a fun thing to do for anyone, but it can be a lifeline in the event of a dementia diagnosis for you or someone you know.
We marked the third National Playlist Day in a big way, including a campaign launch featuring Scottish band The Bluebells and appearance on BBC Breakfast. Read on to find out more.
Sir Alex Ferguson shared his Playlist on BBC Breakfast
We are honoured to have the support of Sir Alex Ferguson, who gave a very special interview on BBC Breakfast, discussing dementia, football, memories and the songs that have soundtracked his life.
Joining Sir Alex on BBC Breakfast were our lived experience ambassadors Anne, who lives with dementia, and her daughter Emma. They spoke about Anne’s playlist, and how it supports Anne. Michael Timmons, Executive Director at Playlist for Life, shared how easy it is for anyone to make a playlist – just like Sir Alex’s!
An estimated five million people tune in to BBC Breakfast every day so we were thrilled to have our message about the power of music in front of such a large audience.
Michael and Emma were also invited to speak on BBC 5Live later that day and Micheal also spoke The Seven on BBC Scotland.
The full BBC Breakfast segment can be watched below, with Michael, Emma and Anne appearing from 12:30.
'Young at Heart' soundtracked the launch of National Playlist Day
Scottish band, The Bluebells joined dementia inclusive choirs from Glasgow and the surrounding area, to perform their hit track, Young at Heart, in Glasgow’s famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Their joyful performance captured the attention of museum visitors and Scottish national press, including the STV News at 6.
Thanks to The Every Voice Community Choir, Westerton Male Voice Choir and Caledonia Choir, led by Bryan Marshall.
Watch the performance below.
Playlists were used by dementia support communities around the UK
Did you know that Playlist for Life is partnered with over 2,500 community Help Points throughout the UK? We’re a small charity with a huge mission – to ensure everyone living with dementia has their own personalised playlist – so partnership work is very important for us.
And boy did our partners help us celebrate National Playlist Day!
From musical teas to shared playlists, local radio and promoting key messages, our Help Points helped to make this the biggest National Playlist Day yet.
Enjoyed #NationalPlaylistDay at St Andrews Dementia Hub listening to our members favourite tunes @PlaylistforLife pic.twitter.com/B5N6fYzf4i
— Lesley Reid (@Simply_Happy_1) September 20, 2024
It's #NationalPlaylistDay 2024! Here we are, at Together In Sound, music therapy groups with people living with dementia and their companions, using the brilliant @PlaylistforLife Century of Song resources as a way to get going! 🎶🎶@SaffronHallSW @cimtr_aru #dementia pic.twitter.com/dvDlLYhsv5
— Claire Flower (@Claireflo) September 20, 2024
Playlists in policy
We want everyone with dementia to have access to a personalised playlist and for it to become standard in care and support. There’s no cure for dementia, but meaningful music can be a lifeline for those living with the condition, and those who love and care for them.
The Scottish Government recognised National Playlist Day, with Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, sharing a video in support of the campaign.
Three motions were raised in The Scottish Parliament by MSPs and gained cross-party support.
"The power of music for people with dementia and those in their lives as a source of strength, joy and comfort can’t be overstated."
— Playlist for Life (@PlaylistforLife) September 20, 2024
Thank you to the Scottish Minister for Wellbeing @MareeToddMSP for supporting #NationalPlaylistDay 💚 pic.twitter.com/8D3CoHSujP
Thousands of playlists were made!
Almost 900 people made a playlist using our Playlist Maker on National Playlist Day, communities around the country created group playlists, and many shared the tracks of their lives on social media.
Have you made a playlist yet? Get started by using our playlist maker.
