We're Going Viral! Dementia Disco Hits the Airwaves
What a whirlwind few weeks it has been for the Dementia Disco CIO! If you've been following the news you may have seen our little movement for music and connection recently caught the eye of the BBC and the response has been nothing short of magical.
From Cheadle Hulme to the Nation: BBC Breakfast
It all started on Sunday 10th January when the BBC Breakfast crew joined us at our Cheadle Hulme disco. Featuring in the "Rise and Shine" segment, the film captured the true heart of what we do. The film was then broadcast on Monday 19th January, for the first time at 6.20am and then repeated at 8.20am.
Our co-founders, myself and Nick Shaw and our mum Jan, shared our story of Brian, our dad, whose love for music was the original spark for the disco. But the real stars? Our incredible disco-goers Sandra, Edith, and Maria, along with our trustee Johnny, who showed the world that a dementia diagnosis doesn't mean the dancing has to stop.
The Northwest Tonight & BBC Radio Manchester Ripple Effect
The momentum didn't stop there! After the breakfast feature, we were showcased again on BBC North West Tonight, bringing our mission to even more living rooms across the region.
To top it all off, Nick and I headed to Media City the following morning to join Joe McGrath on the BBC Radio Manchester Breakfast show. Live in the studio, we chatted about our personal motivations, our journey so far, and, most importantly, our plans for the future.
The Impact (By the Numbers!)
The "BBC bounce" is real! Since the broadcasts, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of our community:
100+ New mailing list sign-ups.
Over 30 new volunteer applications.
Generous donations that help keep the music playing.
National Interest: Inquiries from all over the UK from people wanting to start their own local Dementia Discos!
What's Next?
We're not slowing down. With new discos in the works and a growing army of volunteers, we are more determined than ever to spread joy, movement, and connection nationwide.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you donated, shared a post, or joined us on the dance floor you are making this happen.
If you missed the BBC Breakfast broadcast, you can watch it here on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/wbnS1OQ8o_w?si=plb404r6k8RdgE_Z
The rhythm is spreading! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that on Sunday 25th January, we officially opened our very first disco outside of the North West. This wasn't just any launch; it marked a massive milestone for Dementia Disco CIO as we took our first steps toward becoming a nationwide movement.
A Landmark Pilot Project
The Merton launch is a "first" in more ways than one. Not only is it our debut in the South, but it is also our first-ever pilot where we've empowered a local team to lead the way.
While we'll always love being on the dance floor ourselves, seeing our vision successfully translated by others is what will allow Dementia Disco to reach every corner of the UK.
High Spirits and High Society
The atmosphere at the debut was electric! We were incredibly honored to have the Mayor of Merton officially open the disco, giving our new venture a truly royal welcome.
Our amazing lead volunteers, Canute and Delia, did a fantastic job running the show. With 50 people filling the room, the energy was high, the music was spot on, and most importantly the dance floor was never empty!
"We've done it! People were dancing and having a great time. Nothing can stop us now!"
From London to the Coast: What's Next?
If Merton was the proof of concept, then Seahouses is the next big wave! We are officially heading to the beautiful Northumberland coast for our second pilot launch on Saturday 7th March.
We are learning so much from these new locations, and the success in Merton has given us the confidence to keep pushing forward. We are proving that no matter where you are in the country, the power of music and connection remains the same.
Keep an eye on our socials for photos from the Merton launch and updates on our journey to Northumberland!
We're incredibly proud to announce that we have been awarded a one-off capital grant from The Clothworkers' Foundation.
This grant will be a pivotal investment in our infrastructure that will allow us to scale our mission from a regional success story to a nationwide movement across England and Wales.
Building the "Disco Pipeline"
Over the next 12 months, we will be using this funding to overhaul our digital backbone. By investing in an improved CRM, advanced software, and an enhanced website, we are creating a "Run Your Own Disco" process.
Our goal is to use technology to make starting a disco as light-touch as possible for our central team and incredibly user-friendly for volunteers. We want to remove the administrative barriers so that more people can focus on what matters: the music and the dancing.
Meet the "Dream Team"
To turn this vision into a reality, we've assembled a powerhouse team of experts to lead the charge:
Rebecca Hodgson (Strategy & Systems): The architect of our "disco pipeline," Rebecca is building the back-end systems that will give us total visibility over every disco's journey.
Cynthia Ghernati (UX & Brand): The creative mind behind our re-brand, Cynthia is ensuring that every volunteer's digital experience is seamless, beautiful, and effortless.
Mark Selby (Head of Scaling Up Project): With a background in high-level project management, Mark is overseeing the entire expansion and chairing our brand-new Advisory Board.
We Need Your Expertise: Join Our Advisory Board!
As we move toward our goal of making a Dementia Disco possible for anyone, anywhere, we are looking for passionate individuals to join our Scaling Up Advisory Board.
We are specifically seeking:
Experts in social franchising.
Legal professionals with experience in scaling non-profits.
Individuals living with dementia to ensure our growth remains person-centered.
Charity sector experts passionate about community impact.
If you have the skills to help us shape the future of dementia care through music, we would love to hear from you. Email Kate at hello@dementiadisco.org
We're dancing for a whole new reason today! As of 27th January, we have officially pulled back the curtain on the brand-new Dementia Disco Online Shop.
Our mission has always been about bringing color and joy into people's lives, and now you can take a piece of that joy home with you. Our new digital storefront is bright, bold, and bursting with disco energy.
What's in Store?
We've curated a fantastic range of merchandise that lets you show your support for Dementia Disco in style. Whether you're heading to one of our events or just want to spread the word in your local community, we've got you covered:
Apparel: Cozy hoodies, stylish sweatshirts, and our classic disco T-shirts.
Headwear: The ultimate festival accessory, our Dementia Disco bucket hats!
Accessories: Water bottles, tote bags, and pens to keep the disco spirit on your desk.
Home Comforts: Start your morning with a smile using our colorful disco mugs, tea towels and aprons!
More Than Just a Shop: Funding Our Future
Launching this shop is a huge milestone for us. While we are incredibly grateful for the grants we receive, building an independent income stream is vital for our long-term sustainability.
Every single purchase you make goes directly toward:
Opening new discos (like our upcoming pilot in Seahouses!).
Supporting our volunteers with the training and tech they need.
Keeping our events free for those living with dementia and their carers.
This is an exciting development that makes us more resilient as a charity. Every hoodie sold helps keep the music playing.
Ready to gear up? Head over to the shop today and be one of the first to rock our new look!
Start Shopping Here: www.dementiadisco.org/shop
