Glasgow dementia charity wins top national award

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Christie McAlpine

Glasgow-based charity Playlist for Life has won a major national award for its works using personal music to help improve the lives of people with dementia and their families.

Chosen from more than 400 charities across the UK, the charity was one of ten winners of the 2020 GSK IMPACT Awards. The awards are designed to recognise the outstanding work of small and medium sized charities working to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the UK. The winners received £30,000 in unrestricted funding, as well as expert support and leadership development provided by The King's Fund.

Playlist for Life wants everyone with dementia to have a unique, personal playlist and for everyone who cares for them to know how to use it. Their trial in a Glasgow care home found that using personal playlists led to a 60% reduction in the use of medication for some residents to help them manage distressed behaviours.

They now have 357 Help Points across the UK where people can access information and guidance on creating personalised playlists, reaching more than 7,000 people.

Sarah Metcalfe, Chief Executive of Playlist for Life, said;
"Playlist for Life has come a long way in a short time and we are proud to be part of the growing music and dementia movement. We will use the GSK prize money and leadership opportunities to take the charity to the next level and reach even more people with the power of personal music."

You can see the full list of this years winners and runners up here.