Staff, patients and BBC Look East marked World Alzheimer’s Day by attending a party which was held in Lowther’s Dementia Village on Wednesday.

The aim of the St Andrew’s Healthcare event, which had taken a couple of months to plan, was to entertain the patients of Lowther, while also raising awareness of dementia.

The theme ‘music at the movies’ involved top film hits being sung by a professional singer and staff turning up dressed as their favourite film characters.

BBC Look East reporter Stuart Ratcliffe interviewed St Andrew’s Healthcare’s new CEO Dr Vivienne McVey, Lowther patient Drew and Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Inga Stewart.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Stewart said: “Music is an universal language and I think most of us will be moved by music, will be motivated by music, so it’s a way of really being able to engage with people and means we can join them in ‘their world’.

“So you might have somebody who is quite lost to you and if you put the right music on and they’ll sing and they’ll remember all of the words, so it’s an amazing way to be able to connect with somebody.”

Lowther Service Manager Bianca Bhathal said: “The party was a huge success. The patients absolutely loved being involved and the music really brought a few smiles to some faces.

“It was really nice to be able to get the patients outside and listening to some live music which they all recognised. A huge thank you to all those who we