Not all weekends are created equal, and our recent Merton Dementia Disco proved to be truly unforgettable!
In a wonderful collaboration with Music For Dementia, our latest disco coincided with a major milestone: the launch of m4dRADIO on DAB across South and West London. To help us mark the occasion, we were honoured to welcome a very special guest, music legend and Music For Dementia Ambassador, Tony Christie.
Tony attended alongside his lovely wife and son, taking the time to chat with our team about the impact of the Dementia Disco model. They were so impressed by the atmosphere and energy that they are keen to bring a Dementia Disco to their hometown of Lichfield!
For Tony, who is living with dementia himself, the power of music is deeply personal. The highlight of the afternoon came when he unexpectedly took to the stage, surprising and delighting our guests with a live performance of his iconic anthem, (Is This The Way To) Amarillo. Within seconds, the room erupted, glowsticks were waving, feet were moving, and everyone was singing along.
It was a magical, poignant moment that captured the true heart of what we do. As the team at Music For Dementia so rightly put it, music has an extraordinary ability to unlock memories, lift spirits, and create genuine human connection.
We wrapped up the afternoon with a fantastic rainbow cake cutting to celebrate the launch of m4dRADIO, which is now bringing free, advert-free music 24/7 to listeners across South and West London on DAB.
A massive thank you to Tony and his family for giving us such a cherished memory, and to our lead volunteers for Merton, Canute and Delia D'Aguiar, whose dedication makes these events possible.
What an incredible evening at The Savoy Cinema, Heaton Moor for our Mamma Mia! Immersive Cinema Night on Saturday 26th September!
🎬✨ Organised under The Power of Three initiative, this special night brought our local community together to celebrate and raise crucial funds for three incredible charities: Pure Innovations, Signpost for Carers, and Dementia Disco CIO.
The evening began in the foyer with a vibrant showcase of Mamma Mia-themed crafts created by the talented clients at Pure Innovations.Inside the cinema, the mood was set by the fantastic Pure Innovations Sing and Sign group, whose performance had the whole auditorium buzzing. We then moved on to an exciting charity auction featuring two incredible handmade ceramic Mamma Mia houses created by Pure Innovations clients.
A huge thank you to Alan Keegan for running the auction with such expertise and helping us raise a fantastic amount!With light-up poles waving, fun accessories on, and popcorn in hand, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the film, but the party didn't stop at the credits! Alan Keegan stepped up to the decks to deliver a brilliant DJ set that kept us dancing right up until midnight.
Huge Thanks & Acknowledgements:
James & The Savoy Team: For hosting us so warmly and delivering an exceptional venue experience.
The Dream Team: Co-organisers Hannah Richardson (Signpost for Carers) and Emily Baker (Pure Innovations) and Kate Darby (Dementia Disco) for all their hard work bringing this event to life.
Our Volunteers & Performers: The wonderful volunteers on the night and the inspirational Pure Innovations Sing and Sign group.Our Community: Everyone who purchased a ticket, placed a bid, or danced the night away with us.
Events like this highlight the strength of community collaboration and impact. Thank you to everyone who made it possible! 💙
We are incredibly proud to see Dementia Disco CIO featured in the 31 August–06 September 2026 edition of the Big Issue!
The article, part of the "I am Still Me" segment, highlights our mission to provide a space where people living with dementia, their families, carers, and friends can gather to enjoy the music they love. Founded by Kate Darby, Nick Shaw and Phil Bostock, our discos welcome all ages and all musical tastes.
A huge thank you to Adrian Lobb at the Big Issue, Isabella Grace Carter for the interviews and to all our wonderful disco goers who took part.
Celebrating Double Recognition: Kate Darby Nominated for Two Prestigious Awards!
We have some incredibly exciting and proud news to share with our community! We have been recognised for two fantastic awards this autumn:
The Best of Manchester Awards 2026 and The Woman of the Year Awards 2026.
🐝 The Best of Manchester Awards: Bringing Communities Together
First up, we are thrilled to announce that we have been nominated for the Bringing Communities Together category at The Best of Manchester Awards 2026!
This award celebrates the individuals and organisations across Greater Manchester who build strong community connections, champion diversity, and create inclusive spaces where people feel a true sense of belonging.
We are currently eagerly waiting to hear if we have made the final shortlist to attend the main awards ceremony in October. Crossing our fingers! 🤞
✨ Woman of the Year Awards 2026
The wonderful news doesn't stop there. We are absolutely delighted to share that Kate Darby has been named a 2026 Woman of the Year!
Since 1955, the Women of the Year Awards have been celebrating extraordinary women who make a difference in their communities and professions. Kate will be attending the prestigious, invite-only ceremony taking place over lunchtime on Monday 12th October at the Royal Lancaster London.
Watch this space!
Watch this space for updates following the events in London and Manchester in October!
On Monday 21st September, the bustling Orient food hall at the Trafford Centre was filled with music, laughter, and dance as Dementia Disco and Home Instead Charities joined forces to mark World Alzheimer’s Day in unforgettable style.
The two organisations teamed up to host a vibrant Dementia Disco, transforming one of the North West's most iconic locations into a stage for awareness, celebration, and community connection. Music and movement are widely recognised for their incredible power in dementia care, stimulating memories, lifting spirits, and bringing people together, and Monday's event demonstrated that impact in full force.
The atmosphere throughout the day was electric. DJs Philip and Aminah took to the decks, spinning an incredible lineup of classic hits and uplifting tracks that kept the floor buzzing. Shoppers and visitors were treated to fantastic performances and infectious energy from our dedicated team of volunteer dancers, a massive thank you to Margaret, Norma, Rachael, Jean, Eirwen, and Helen for keeping the party going and getting everyone moving!
A special debt of gratitude goes to Cody Pendlebury from Home Instead Charities, who had the inspired idea to bring this event to life, and to Daisy Greenhalgh for capturing all the wonderful moments throughout the day. We are also hugely grateful to Richa Patel and the entire staff at the Trafford Centre, who generously gifted us such a brilliant platform to showcase our work and raise awareness for two causes so close to our hearts.
Throughout the day, our team handed out hundreds of goody bags, chatted with visitors, and shared vital information about the services and support available for individuals and families living with dementia.
And, of course, no celebration on 21st September would be complete without Earth, Wind & Fire’s timeless classic, ‘September’. With its famous opening line marking the date as ‘Earth, Wind & Fire Day’, it provided the ultimate soundtrack to a day dedicated to joy, connection, and making lasting memories.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared a dance, or stopped for a chat. Together, we proved that raising awareness can be as joyful as it is important! 💙
What a day! Two coachloads of our wonderful disco goers and volunteers set off on a fantastic trip to the Mecca of ballroom dancing: the magnificent Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
We arrived just before midday and settled in for a fabulous afternoon tea, while the famous Wurlitzer filled the grand ballroom with its unmistakable, wonderful sound.
And, of course, it wasn’t long before the dancing was under way!
Our amazing Jean England was the first to hit the floor and, true to form, she soon became everyone’s favourite dance partner. She even led us in a brilliant version of House of Bamboo, before the entire group took to the floor for a huge, joyful Hokey Cokey. There were smiles, laughter, and endless dancing all around—exactly how it should be!
At 4:00 pm, we said a tired but happy goodbye to the ballroom and headed home, arriving just in time to put our feet up and enjoy the return of Strictly Come Dancing. What more could you ask for?
It was a truly magical day of music, memories, friendship, and dancing.
A huge thank you goes to the Mottram Jive Club for helping to fund this unforgettable trip, your support made it all possible.
Keep dancing, folks!
A massive congratulations to Chris Valchero for completing the gruelling London to Brighton bike ride on Sunday 13th September!
🚴♂️Chris took on the challenge to raise vital funds for Dementia Disco CIO, but the journey was anything but smooth.
Despite falling and wrenching her shoulder in France just a week prior, and battling severe cramps at the 45-mile mark, Chris pushed through.In a true display of event camaraderie, a fellow cyclist shared some much-needed electrolytes, giving her the boost she needed to tackle the notorious Ditchling Beacon (even if it meant joining 95% of the 14,000 participants in a strategic "limp walk" up the hill!).
Supported by her sister, who was riding for Myeloma UK, Chris cycled down into Brighton to cross the finish line with a flourish, celebrating with a well-earned bottle of Lucozade and her family waiting for her.It’s fantastic to see this level of resilience and dedication to a great cause.
Chris has raised an incredible £430.00 for Dementia Disco! A huge thank you to Chris for this incredible achievement.
A world where every person living with dementia can experience the joy of music and dance.
To bring everyone affected by dementia into a joyful rebellion through a national network of inclusive discos where music, dance, and human connection help people live well every day.
Until the next time keep dancing!
