Singing Cafe

Teaching music, changing lives is at the heart of what we do at Berkshire Maestros. We are expanding our reach to include working with older people in the community and people who have Parkinson’s or Dementia. Our relaxed sessions are fun and informal whilst improving emotional wellbeing. We have been supported by various local funders including the Arts Council Cultural Recovery Fund and are working in partnership with Age UK Berkshire as well as local branches of Parkinson’s UK. Our Singing Cafes are on offer across Berkshire in local community venues and care homes. Our participants love a sing along to familiar songs!

Each Singing Café session includes 45 minutes of musical activity followed by 45 minutes to have tea/coffee with a biscuit and a chat. We encourage people to meet new friends and to socialise and reengage with other like-minded people in the community.

This is a county wide project covering East to West Berkshire in various locations, we looking forward to welcoming you into our community!

Singing Cafe Sessions

Community for older people

Sessions run weekly

Thursdays 10:15am-11:00am Berkshire Maestros Reading Music Centre, Tilehurst RG30 4EZ

Mondays 10:00am-11:00am All Souls Church, South Ascot SL5 9EB

Wednesdays 2:15pm-3:00pm Waterside Youth Centre, Newbury RG14 1DS

Dementia ‘Memory lane’

Sessions run monthly

Fridays 10:30am-12:00 noon Berkshire Maestros Reading Music Centre, Tilehurst RG30 4EZ

Fridays 10:30am-12:00 noon The Fair Close Centre, Newbury RG14 7BH

Fridays 10:30am-12:00 noon The Cornerstone, Wokingham RG40 1UE

Parkinson’s

Sessions run fortnightly

Fridays 11:30am-12:30pm Falkland Cricket Club, Newbury RG14 6TW

Fridays 11:00am-12:00 noon Open Learning Centre, Bracknell RG12 7GR

Feedback from participants and carers

"Thanks so much for making last week's singing event so much fun – it’s amazing to see the change in him after the sessions"

“You always brighten up the home when you come in every Thursday, it cheers up the residents and the staff - we love it”

"These sessions always take me back to my childhood as my parents were very musical and would always put on parties. We’d all sing together like we do here so thank you for bringing that back to me"

"Thank you so much for organising these singing sessions – it is so nice to have a sing along and talk with others afterwards who are in the same boat as us. Well done"

"Everyone is really friendly and I look forward to coming every week!"

"Very relaxing and enjoyable!"

How to book:

For any questions please email hello@berkshiremaestros.org.uk

Community Singing Cafe for older people – No need to book, please just turn up! The first session is free and thereafter a suggested donation of £2.50 is payable by debit card on the day.

Dementia Memory Lane Singing Cafe – Please pre-book through Vikki at Age UK and email: Victoria.Rowland@AgeUKBerkshire.org.uk. Sessions are £2.50 which is payable in cash on the day.

Parkinsons Singing Cafe – Sessions are free! Please book through and email:BimbiShaw-Cotterill@berkshiremaestros.org.uk