The Turquoise music program, run by Chris White and Mo Archambault, operates on Mondays out of Southminster United Church on Aylmer Avenue. It’s a fun, interactive sing-a-long program for people with dementia and their caregivers, and has received high praise! Recently Sian Fitzgerald, a caregiver, sent along this note:
“I have lots of positive things to say about Turquoise, and I have some lovely gems of thoughts that my mom has shared with me on our walk back to the Colonel By afterwards. She has expressed that Turquoise is a whole body experience that feeds the soul, the mind, and the body, and that everyone is so friendly and welcoming. She loves the music, of course, and the laughter, which she says is so important. And most of all she feels a sense of belonging. I am regularly overcome with the kindness and caring in the room. It really is quite incredible.”
It isn’t just the caregivers and participants who are taking notice of Turquoise – The UC Observer wrote a piece on Turquoise this month. The UC [United Church] Observer has been published since 1925, and we finally made it into their pages!
In early March, CTV took notice and ran a wonderful piece by Joel Haslam in Regional Contact on Turquoise, featuring Chris, Mo, some participants and our Director of Clinical and Client Services, Dean Henderson.
Chris, in addition to running the Turquoise music program, hosts some shows on CKCU radio. He had Mo, Dean, and our Communications Officer Eric Bollman in on his show to talk about dementia.
Chris and Mo are currently working on a sing-a-long musical called ‘Wizard of Ottawa’, to be performed by the Turquoise music group along with the singing talents of the visiting audience. It will run Saturday April 13th and Sunday April 14th at the Southminster United Church. For tickets or more information:
