‘Sweet treat’: Cherry Vixxen perform for patients in RDH Dementia Ward
A local singing group, Cherry Vixxen, recently performed to patients on Ward 311 at Royal Derby Hospital to support dementia patients and was hailed a great success.
The entertainment was organised with recent CEO Award winner Sharon Dunworth and key members of her team.
Formed around four years ago, Cherry Vixxen are a ‘close harmony trio’ that performs popular songs from 1930s to the present day in a ‘vintage’ style - consisting of Pippa Ward, Dawn McGlashan, and Anna Brownlee (who was sadly not able to attend due to illness on the day). Sharon and Pippa met and became friends after attending a music event in Derby city centre around three years ago, and stayed in touch thereafter.
After Sharon learnt of Pippa’s involvement in Cherry Vixxen, she suggested that the group come to where she works, as a Dementia Key Worker, and perform to the patients in her care. Despite some cancellations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, they were ‘determined’, and on 10 August 2022 Pippa and Dawn were finally able to come to the ward and perform as they had hoped to – for free, and, despite being in the midst of an unprecedented heatwave.
Pippa said: “This was really important to me. I have had relatives with dementia – I’ve been around it, I have seen how it affects people.
“However, I’ve also seen how the power of music can reenergise people’s brains and their memories, and it is so rewarding to be able to do this.
“I wanted to play any part I could in making the patients happy and comfortable. That feeling beats any other gig!
“We performed popular songs ‘throughout the decades’ in our style, from VE Day-era classics right up to one of the patient’s favourite songs, ‘Mamma Mia’ by ABBA! It couldn’t have felt any better and I feel like it made a real difference – and I can’t wait until we can come back again.”
Sharon was delighted for the patients, saying that she and Pippa are “big believers in music therapy.”
“When you sing songs from a certain era, it unlocks memories for those in our ward – and they are so happy. One elderly patient with advanced dementia in our ward had real difficulty moving and communicating, but as soon as Cherry Vixxen started singing, they were up on their feet: waving flags, shaking maracas, singing and dancing.
“They did half an hour each in the male and female wings of the ward, and once they’d moved into the opposite site after the first performance – the patient stomped down the ward to watch them perform a second time! I was so moved.”
Sharon was keen to add that “none of this would be possible” without her #TeamUHDB colleagues.
“I am so grateful for the tireless work of the team around me. In particular, HCAs Anika Aly and Ann Redican, along with housekeeper, Patricia Saul. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to organise these activities for our patients, which truly show them how much we care about making them happy and comfortable – they truly are my biggest allies.
“It was a sweltering hot and extremely busy day – but they all went to every effort to make sure the maximum number of patients could attend, and make it a special occasion. We even gave out strawberries and cream!
“They all went the extra mile. It was magical.”
Cherry Vixxen hope to return to perform for patients once again at Christmas – and we certainly hope so too!
If you’d like to hear more about Cherry Vixxen and their future performances, you can visit their Facebook page here >, or their Instagram page here >