South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is celebrating a new partnership with dementia charity Lost Chord that will see fire safety messages incorporated into music making sessions.

The national charity, which supports over 10,000 people annually across the UK, has its roots in South Yorkshire.

The charity uses interactive music to transform the lives of people with dementia and other neurological conditions.

Jean Collingwood, CEO of Lost Chord said: “We believe this truly exciting collaboration is the first of its kind in the UK.

“By partnering with SYFR, we can combine our expertise in music with their community safety goals, creating a truly innovative project that serves both the hearts and minds of Sheffield’s residents.”

Lost Chord runs Tea and Tunes sessions at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre which have become a ‘vital lifeline’ for many living with dementia.

It also supports social carers from across the city, creating a place where they can feel connected, supported, and alive through the universal language of music.

In the face of venue and refreshment costs, Lost Chord UK was forced to make the difficult decision to relocate Tea and Tunes a few months ago.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue offered the use of its Handsworth-based training and development centre in Sheffield free of charge, ensuring the sessions will continue in a safe, accessible environment.

But the partnership goes beyond just providing a venue because Lost Chord UK and SYFR have now developed the idea of a ‘Community Chorus’, an initiative that will use music to engage and educate.

By incorporating important fire safety messages into the sessions, the aim is to engage attendees in a fun and interactive way that could ultimately save lives.

Toni Tranter, partnership manager at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to partner with Lost Chord on this pioneering project and it’s a real pleasure to be able to host the Community Chorus at our Training and Development Centre in Handsworth.

“We know that people living with dementia are at a greater risk of suffering a fire due to their condition so to be able to share important safety messages through the power of music is a fantastic opportunity for us and aligns with our mission to create safer and stronger communities.”

The Community Chorus sessions, which are free, dementia-friendly and open to everyone begin on Monday October 28, with two further sessions planned for Friday November 15 and Monday December 9, all from 1 to 2pm at the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Training and Development Centre, Beaver Hill Road, Handsworth, Sheffield, S13 9QA.

Lost Chord UK’s musicians, supported by the Lost Chord UK volunteers, will lead the sessions, working alongside SYFR to incorporate essential fire safety messaging into the music-making.

Jean Collingwood said: “This has been a true team effort and I couldn’t be prouder of our volunteers and musicians for their tenacity and to our partners at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue for making this partnership possible.

“For the people of Sheffield, this new initiative represents an exciting opportunity to socialise, connect with others, learn new skills, and engage with their community in a way that is both fun and potentially life-saving.”

For more details, visit the Lost Chord UK online community diary at the charity’s website www.lost-chord.org.uk.