A new identity and a fresh volunteer call for Lost Chord UK

ONE of South Yorkshire’s best-loved charities has a new name to reflect the expansion of its services nationwide.

Lost Chord is the charity that has provided vital interactive musical sessions for people living with dementia in care homes and day centres across the region for more than two decades.

Recent years have seen the service expand to take in London, the Midlands and Wales.

And with plans now in place to take the charity’s work across the whole country, the name has officially changed to Lost Chord UK.

“We felt that now was the perfect time to build on our already excellent reputation and take our services out to areas we have never had the opportunity to explore before,” said Chief Executive Clare Langan.

“That means we will now be expanding our existing Welsh service and also taking in Scotland and Northern Island.

“It’s a massive challenge for such a small charity but we have emerged from the pandemic with renewed enthusiasm for the work we are doing and we want to share the power of great music with as many people as possible.

“The new name might represent only a small change to our identity but we feel it reflects our potential to reach every corner of the country.”

As part of that expansion, Clare has also launched a new campaign to develop Lost Chord UK’s fundraising volunteer force.

“Like every other charity, the pandemic provided enormous funding challenges for us and so now, as we look to expand, it is more important than ever that we have a team of people who will support us with a new programme of fundraising activities,” Clare said.

“Our recent month-long Superhero Challenge, for instance, raised us a fantastic ￡7,000 plus, all of which goes directly to funding our musical sessions.

“That is one event we will be looking to build on in 2023 but at the same time we will also be recruiting a new generation of volunteers who bring with them fresh enthusiasm and, even more importantly, the new ideas that will help us to boost our income stream.

“They will be helping to boost our profile and, at the same time, giving us the strengths to maximise our earning potential.”

To find out more about Lost Chord UK and how to get involved, visit: lost-chord.org.uk