A care home worker with a track record of musical success having played Glastonbury and T in the Park is using his talents to bring music therapy to lucky residents.

David Addison, the wellbeing enabler at Oakview Manor, invited the residents of Oakview Care Home in Pollokshields to recall their favourite tracks on National Playlist Day – an awareness day run by Playlist for Life.

He then played these tracks for them in an intimate concert.

The songs requested by residents were a varied mix and included Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, Abba’s Dancing Queen and Doris Day’s Que Sera, Sera as well You Are My Sunshine.

David said: "I’ve always had a passion for music in my personal life but when I started this role and saw the profound effect it has on elderly people and those with barriers to communication, I was quite astounded.

“Now, music is one of the most powerful tools I have at my disposal. From settling residents into the care home and getting to know them better, to developing rich and meaningful relationships, it really helps to facilitate all of that."

In addition to the Oakview Manor concert on National Playlist Day, the care homes from across the Oakminster Healthcare Group encouraged residents and their families to recall their ‘Soundtrack of Your Life’ curating a personalised playlist of nostalgic moments, from wedding songs, first dance tracks, childhood memory songs to night-out music.

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One resident, Netta Turnbull, aged 93, said that “music plays such a big part in your life as you get older and it’s a great way to recall memories and good times”.

She went on to say that “we all have songs that bring back happy memories, music is special and genuinely does provide a soundtrack to those big moments - and the small moments - in your life.”

Albert Higgins, aged 91, a resident and former musician himself, said: 

“Getting a chance to put together our songs and play them throughout the day is very nostalgic. I was a musician myself so music has always been very important to me.

“It can make people happy and relaxed, and sometimes emotional, we’re all sharing memories and reminiscing about moments in our lives."

Albert’s music choice for the day was Don’t Blame Me by Charlie Parker as he was his favourite musician and an inspiration to him, while Netta’s song was The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, taking her back to her childhood when she would sing the song as a young girl.

Sunita Poddar, CEO and founder of Oakminster Healthcare said that their teams are “always looking at different ways to support the residents in our homes and we know the important role that music plays in dementia care and for the general wellbeing of residents.”