A choir that was formed to help people on the north coast living with dementia “has been a life-changing support network”, according to those affected.

Age Concern Causeway formed a choir of men and women in September 2024 which has now grown in size.

The choir, of about 20 people, got some help this Christmas when the children of Castleroe Primary School helped them with a concert at St Patrick’s Church in Coleraine.

“I love it and I sit at home and sing away,” 80-year-old Kathleen Kane told BBC News NI.

Kathleen, who was diagnosed with dementia six years ago, said Silent Night is her favourite Christmas song.

“When I was a child I sang Silent Night and loved it,” Ms Kane added before bursting into song.

“The children are all so good to help us here.”

Ms Kane sings with her daughter Sharon Chambers in the choir.

Ms Chambers said she has noticed a real difference in her mother’s behaviour since joining.

“We weren’t singers before but now we sing away and it’s so special we can do it together,” Ms Chambers said.

“This has been very good for her and it makes her very happy. Dementia is really hard on a family especially when you see them confused.”

Elsie, who is part of Castleroe Primary School choir, told BBC News NI: “It was a pleasure to see our singing bring a smile to their faces.”

“We love to encourage others to enjoy singing. We are here to support these elderly people and to say ‘we are here for you’.”

Daphne McCarthy, who also lives with dementia, said: “I was brought up with music and church music. I love it and it makes me so happy.

“You can also see the joy in the young people’s faces too and that is the greatest gift.

“It’s really helping me at Christmas.”

Mandy Corr, manager at Age Concern Causeway, said: “People with dementia don’t often leave the house so this is a real chance to bring joy to people.

“The change we see in people is so clear. When they sing they go back in time and start talking about memories from years ago.

“The choir has got bigger and the joy it brings is unbelievable. It has been a life changing support network for so many of them.”

Dementia is a symptom found in many diseases of the brain.

Memory loss is the most common symptom, particularly the struggle to remember recent events.

Others can include changes to behaviour, mood and personality, becoming lost in familiar places, or being unable to find the right word in a conversation.

There is no cure, though doctors can try to prevent further damage and slow the progress of the disease in patients with some types of dementia, vascular dementia for example.

In other cases, treatments focus on alleviating symptoms and helping patients to live well with the illness.

Dementia UK said singing and music can “help with memory loss, build confidence and help people connect with each other”.