Broadcaster and writer Sally Magnusson will give the Donald Gorrie Lecture this Tuesday 18 October 2016 at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church on George Street. The lecture will focus on dementia and the power of music and entry is free and open to all. The evening will begin at 7.30pm.

Ms Magnusson’s late mother Mamie Baird Magnusson was affected by dementia and Sally was so affected by the power of meaningful music on her mother that she founded a charity in 2013, Playlist for Life.

This video explains the charity’s work

She also wrote a book Where Memories Go which calls for human rights and dignity for the frailest of our citizens, and demands that music is used during their care. The charity advises on making up a list of music that means something to their own family members with dementia and promotes the use of personal music throughout care services while continuing to research its effects.

Sally Magnusson is a journalist, TV and radio broadcaster and writer. She cared with her two sisters for her mother during her long struggle with dementia, until her death in 2012.  Sally has said,

“Dementia is one of the greatest social, medical, economic, scientific, philosophical and moral challenges of our times. I am a reporter. It became the biggest story of my life.”

Ian Gilmour, the minister of St Andrew’s and St George’s West, said

“Churches now engage with the challenge of including and supporting people with dementia – for example through the multi-faith project Faith in Older People.  We are delighted to welcome Sally Magnusson to talk about a particular path she has taken, and to support a hopeful and positive attitude to the often frightening disease of dementia.  There will be an opportunity to buy Sally’s book and to contribute to her charity.”

 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.